Even with the rise in popularity of re-usable menstrual cups, conventional pads remain the primary feminine hygiene product used today. They typically contain superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plastic which takes centuries to degrade in landfills and oceans.
However, designers, scientists, and entrepreneurs have come up with new ways to make sanitary products more environmentally sustainable, including using biodegradable materials like bamboo fiber and organic cotton.
Reduced Waste
Pads made from nonrecyclable materials such as polythene and polypropylene take hundreds of years to break down in landfills or oceans, harming wildlife and disrupting ecosystems in the process. Opting for biodegradable pads reduces these negative environmental impacts while contributing to a healthier planet.
As opposed to their plastic- and synthetic-chemical-laden counterparts, eco-friendly pads are free from harmful ingredients and hypoallergenic, making them much gentler on skin while decreasing risks such as rashes or infections. Furthermore, eco-friendly pads allow better airflow while remaining breathable for all-day comfort.
Biodegradable menstrual products, like bamboo-based and polylactic acid (PLA) sanitary towels, tend to be cheaper than their nonsustainable alternatives; however, production costs may still be higher due to raw material sourcing and processing requirements as well as regional energy systems and waste management practices that affect costs; this may limit adoption in areas without access to composting or biodegradable waste management infrastructures.
No Harmful Chemicals
Biodegradable sanitary pads differ from traditional pads in that they do not contain harmful chemicals that could pose health hazards to both women and the environment. Instead, biodegradable ones tend to be made with hypoallergenic materials that reduce skin irritation risk while simultaneously encouraging healthier menstrual hygiene that will benefit both parties involved.
Biodegradable materials used in eco-friendly feminine hygiene products tend to come from renewable and sustainable resources that do not contribute to pollution or deplete natural resources, while their production uses less energy than synthetics, helping reduce their carbon footprint.
Fluus has developed a plastic-free period pad made entirely of flushable plant fibres that is completely plastic free and zero waste, helping prevent blockages in drains as well as microplastic waste from entering waterways. PETA certified vegan and zero waste, this revolutionary invention from Fluus is PETA-certified vegan with zero impact.
Easy Disposal
Although disposable sanitary pads may be convenient, they are also harmful to the environment and contribute significantly to landfill waste. Biodegradable pads offer more sustainable solution for menstrual hygiene needs.
Instead of the plastic components found in traditional pads, biodegradable napkins are designed to biodegrade naturally without leaving any harmful environmental impacts behind. Furthermore, their reduced landfill waste output means less environmental concern compared with regular pads.
Biodegradable sanitary napkins are composed of plant-based materials that break down into less toxic, simpler components after 90-180 days in soil, enriching it in turn. Selecting organic sanitary napkins also encourages sustainable production methods by manufacturers while encouraging consumers to make more eco-friendly choices when purchasing menstruation products; plus they’re safer compared to conventional options, which may contain dioxins.
Eco-Friendly
Traditional sanitary pads have an immense environmental footprint due to their non-biodegradable materials and slow breakdown. Their plastic polymers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, derived from fossil fuels take years to break down in landfills or the sea, while biodegradable alternatives use natural, renewable and sustainable materials that are gentler on pores and skin than harsh chemicals.
Jeff Bates of the University of Utah Materials Science and Engineering assisted his students in designing the SHERO Pad, a biodegradable maxi pad made up of 100% biodegradable components including banana fiber to repel liquid, raw cotton to absorb moisture and an absorbent material used in tea bags, plus processed algae as super absorbency layers.
Eco-friendly sanitary pads tend to be more costly than their conventional counterparts; however, as demand and technology advance they should become less costly over time. Furthermore, production energy costs for bamboo pulp and bioplastics adds another factor that drives up costs and adds an additional price premium.
