Organic tampons provide an alternative to conventional non-organic tampons that use cotton bleached with chlorine and contain dioxin-laden chemical substances, since organic cotton hasn’t been exposed to herbicides or pesticides; additionally, there are no synthetic elements or dyes present.
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) products made of bioplastic are designed to be less of an environmental burden, particularly in rural or low-income countries where access is limited and biodegrade more quickly than their plastic counterparts.
Janipad
Menstrual hygiene products often contain hazardous chemicals linked to various health concerns, including disruption of endocrine hormones in female reproductive system. Due to being classified as medical devices, their ingredients remain unknown (WVE 2014). Furthermore, these chemicals could enter water streams if disposable feminine hygiene products end up in landfills or sewer pipes (WVE 2014).
Some companies are creating eco-friendly alternatives to plastic-based pads using organic materials such as bamboo and cotton polyurethane laminate, banana fibers and banana peel fibers to reduce production costs and make the Safe Pad more affordable to Indian women (Sanfe 2019).
Other companies use cellulosic plant materials, like paper reed and papyrus. Aisle has created the Papyrus Menstrual Pads made out of papyrus and other plant materials to make them easier accessible in rural areas where these plants grow (Aisle 2021). Furthermore, these menstrual products help generate jobs as well as secondary income streams for those involved with production and distribution.
