Every year, 20 billion sanitary pads, tampons and applicators are dumped into North American landfills. Their plastic components take centuries to biodegrade while simultaneously consuming considerable fossil fuel energy during production.
Many menstruators have adopted reusable period products in an effort to lower their environmental impact, but those who prefer single-use pads still have options that are sustainable – such as banana fibre-based pads that benefit both body, community and environment.
Reduced Landfill Waste
Biodegradable pads differ from traditional menstrual products in that they use renewable natural resources with minimal environmental impacts, without emitting harmful chemicals into the environment and thus helping protect ecosystems and water sources.
Disposable tampons and pads account for an enormous amount of period product waste, taking hundreds of years to disintegrate in landfills. Furthermore, this waste pollutes oceans, rivers, beaches, polluting our water supply as it hits these oceans, rivers and beaches.
Reusable sanitary pads reduce environmental impact by using breathable and non-toxic materials that require less washing, but this can be difficult for some women due to limited access to clean water and detergents; Bates led a team in developing the SHERO Pad which uses processed form of algae as its super absorbent layer, with outer layers comprised of raw cotton fabric combined with the material found in tea bags as an outer shell; its core made up of bamboo wadding for maximum absorption capacity.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Environmentally conscious consumers are seeking more sustainable products – and menstrual hygiene is no different. More women are opting for non-disposable alternatives like menstrual cups and period underwear as reusable solutions; but some still prefer disposable pads and are seeking ones which are biodegradable or compostable.
Biodegradable sanitary napkins are made of plant-based materials like bamboo, jute and corn fibers which decompose quickly to lower their environmental impact. Furthermore, many biodegradable pads contain no chemicals, plastics or dyes which could irritate vaginal tissue; additionally many certified as organic ensure no harmful substances exist within. Their production processes also use less energy and resources than conventional pads – helping to lower carbon footprint and preserve ecosystems where they’re produced.
Reduced Water Consumption
Most conventional single-use menstrual pads contain plastics and chemicals which have been linked with rashes, allergies, skin infections, UTIs, miscarriages, birth defects and cervical cancer. Furthermore, it takes 500 to 800 years for them to decompose in landfills emitting greenhouse gases; additionally they should not be flushed down the toilet as this could result in major blockages.
Biodegradable sanitary pads utilize natural materials in order to minimize waste, including an outer layer made of raw cotton similar to tea bags that repels liquid, followed by transfer layers from this same material, superabsorbent agarose gel (an algae polymer extracted by fermentation), and finally a bottom layer to avoid leakage.
Researchers examined bamboo fibre as an alternative to SAP, commonly used in high-income countries for manufacturing of sanitary napkins. Their study concluded that bamboo wadding fabric absorbs three to four times more water than cotton, wicks moisture faster, and reduced odour more effectively than SAP. Their work suggests it would be feasible for non-profit organizations (NGOs) to distribute low-cost bamboo wadding fabric embedded within commercial sanitary pads to rural women at minimal cost.
Reduced Chemicals
Traditional pads are constructed from synthetic and plastic materials that take years to decompose in landfills, leading to environmental pollution and taking up precious landfill space. By contrast, biodegradable pads use natural materials that decompose quickly in nature – supporting green economies and sustainable agriculture simultaneously for improved women’s health as well as environmental sustainability.
Reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups and cloth pads are the most eco-friendly choice, however not everyone has access to such options. When searching for disposable period products that meet this criteria – like biodegradable pads and tampons certified organic or compostable – look for biodegradable versions as these will break down completely into soil over time without leaving behind harmful chemicals in its wake.
Recent research explored the viability of using bamboo fibres as an alternative to superabsorbent polymers (SAP) for commercial sanitary napkins for women living in low and middle income countries. SAPs require expensive machinery, while bamboo wadding fabric production can occur locally within villages using basic tools.
