No doubt about it – traditional feminine products produce waste! But perhaps what you don’t realize is there are eco-conscious alternatives out there!
Expert interviews and questionnaire investigation showed that women have positive cognition of sustainability, an association between themselves and environmental protection and using eco-friendly menstrual products – but these products may be out of reach or cost too much for some.
1. Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are eco-friendly reusuable devices made from medical-grade silicone or latex that are reusable, preventing menstrual blood from being absorbed like pads and tampons do.
Menstrual cups differ from disposable pads and tampons in that they do not disturb the hymen, helping prevent yeast infections as well as odor reduction and leakage issues. Their design also minimizes any inconvenience of wear-and-tear on sensitive hymens.
Though they cost more upfront, reusable tampons and pads quickly pay for themselves by reducing overall period costs over time. Plus, they’re safe for swimmers!
Women may find it uncomfortable to change a menstrual cup in public restrooms and will require access to a private stall or sink for emptying and cleaning of the product. Water-based lubricants may make inserting simpler.
2. Reusable Applicators
Over her lifetime, women typically dispose of 250 to 300 pounds of period products into landfills – mostly made of plastic – that take decades or centuries to break down.
Reusable applicators offer an eco-conscious solution to this age-old dilemma. Created to replace disposable applicators used with washable tampons knitted or crocheted from cotton or similar materials, reusable applicators provide safe, convenient, economical and easy cleaning service – while simultaneously helping the environment!
Dame is an eco-friendly Certified B Corporation offering an innovative reusable tampon product with multiple Lil-Lets absorbencies (lite to super plus) compatible and made from an OEKO-TEX certified cotton free from dioxins and glyphosate toxins that has revolutionized tampon usage for women of all ages.
3. Menstrual Sponges
Menstrual sponges are an eco-friendly alternative to conventional period products. Inserted into the vagina, they expand like a tampon to trap blood within and can then be washed and reused again – unlike their counterparts which contain an applicator or string and may lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Non-organic cotton tampons take up to 800 years to breakdown and contain plastic that eventually decomposes into microplastics that pollute oceans and beaches. Furthermore, these non-organic products contain chemicals known to disrupt hormones.
New inclusive period brands are leading the way with eco-friendly options, from organic cotton tampons with compostable cardboard applicators to non-applicator tampons – creating more sustainable choices for people who wish to reduce their environmental impact.
4. Cloth Pads
Your goal should be to select a menstrual management style that benefits the environment, such as reusable pads, period underwear or a cup. Doing this will reduce plastic use, landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions during periods.
Reusable cloth pads are an economical and long-term option, saving money over disposable pads while providing relief from period poverty in many parts of the world, where girls and women cannot afford sanitary products. Easy to use, customizable according to flow, they’re available from Etsy or sites like GladRags and Aisle with plenty of choices; some even feature inserts and tampon-like wings to keep your pads in place!
5. Tampons
Long before pads and tampons existed, women would bleed directly onto their undergarment or use flannel cloths in cases of heavy flow. Nowadays, our choice in period products can have an immense environmental impact.
Some companies are revolutionizing feminine hygiene with eco-friendly options, including women-owned company August, which offers organic cotton tampons and pads packaged in BPA-free plastic applicators and invests in environmental offsets as a carbon offset. Furthermore, ethical labor is used for production.
Veeda offers applicator-free organic cotton tampons made without chemicals or dyes that are biodegradable and compostable, biodegradable tampons are also popular as green options, while menstrual cups such as the Mooncup, Diva Cup or Cora Cup have become eco-favorite options that can be worn year after year – they simply need to be cleaned off with warm water after each use!
