Traditional sanitary pads take decades to decompose in landfill sites, while biodegradable ones made from natural materials break down quickly in nature, thereby decreasing their environmental footprint.
Companies using banana fibre, bamboo, jute or corn starch as materials to craft sustainable sanitary pads that don’t contain chemicals, plastics and dyes. This material makes these pads great for women looking for something non-rashes-inducing while supporting sustainable practices.
1. Biodegradable Plastic
Every year, over 20 billion sanitary pads, tampons and applicators are dumped into landfills due to the plastic content in these products which prevents their degradation in an environmentally-friendly manner. This waste contributes significantly to pollution.
One solution is using biodegradable materials in sanitary pads. Srising of Shanghai, China and Niine of India have both introduced menstrual hygiene products made with polylactic acid (PLA) made from corn, beets, or cassava as biodegradable plastics.
Bamboo is another renewable resource that can be utilized in making biodegradable sanitary napkins. As a fast-growing and sustainable natural material, bamboo offers several advantages in making biodegradable products such as biodegradable sanitary napkins: sustainability, biodegradability, antibacterial properties, comfort and absorbency [17]. Biodegradable products break down faster than their nonbiodegradable counterparts while simultaneously preventing dangerous chemicals from leaching into soil or water systems as they break down faster; furthermore they are cheaper and easier than producing conventional disposable alternatives – these make biodegradable sanitary napkins an excellent option for women looking to reduce their environmental impact [17]. These benefits make biodegradable sanitary napkins an attractive choice among women who wish to reduce their environmental impact
2. Bamboo
Bamboo, one of the world’s fastest-growing plants, can be utilized to produce eco-friendly menstrual products made from reusable pads made of soft yet breathable bamboo fabric that provide equal comfort with cloth ones. Bamboo also allows women to be part of the economy through economic security and standing within their communities.
These reusable banana fibre sanitary napkins are constructed using composite banana fiber that offers outstanding absorption capabilities, can be washed and dried quickly, and used up to two years without becoming environmentally hazardous due to being discarded disposables. They help minimize environmental hazards caused by disposable products.
Barron claims the SHERO pad is 100 percent biodegradable and uses less energy than plastic alternatives available on the market, according to user tests conducted both rural and urban women, who reported using BFPs longer without experiencing leakage or discomfort than their previous non-biodegradable menstrual pads; more focused studies must take place in order to confirm these findings.
3. Water Hyacinth
This company uses agricultural waste and invasive species such as water hyacinth to make inexpensive biodegradable pads which they sell directly to women living in rural India and Kenya. Their products are compostable for added circularity while serving as fertiliser for farms.
Water hyacinth, or hydrophyte, is an aquatic plant with broad, thick leaves which may grow above the water surface up to 1m (3ft). Although beautiful in appearance, this invasive species often covers entire lakes or rivers, blocking sunlight and hindering boat traffic.
Root systems offer an ideal surface area for microorganisms to inhabit, providing greater potential for decomposing organic matter – an aspect especially valuable in wastewater treatment plants.
Water hyacinth’s roots absorb wastewater and heavy metals while reducing nitrate levels in water bodies, including lakes and rivers. Furthermore, its pulp possesses high absorbency and retention capacities.
4. PadBack
PadBack is a women-owned and managed company that produces biodegradable pads made of banana fibers enriched with Curcuma longa and Azadirachtaindica extracts, the efficacy of which has been confirmed through rigorous tests. Their pads offer hygiene, cost efficiency and environmental sustainability – the ideal alternative to conventional feminine hygiene products.
High absorbency and leakage resistance demonstrate its sustainability as a solution, while the wet back test demonstrates it possesses superior moisture-retaining abilities compared to regular and CMC-containing sanitary napkins.
Biodegradable sanitary products eliminate plastic wrappers, thus lowering their carbon footprint and energy use. Furthermore, their production requires less energy and resources compared to synthetic ones and utilizes fewer chemicals during production – protecting ecosystems while minimising pollution. Traditional sanitary napkins take several hundred years before decomposing while biodegradable ones typically break down within months or years due to natural materials used compared to the synthetic products found elsewhere on the market; local brands tend to cost 35% less while international ones cost over 70% less!
