Women worldwide are taking steps toward sustainability with products like 100% organic cotton tampons and menstrual cups made of recycled plastic bottles, switching to reusable pads can significantly lessen your environmental impact.
Participants were asked to select three most essential features of a reusable pad; most prioritized comfort, protection from leakage and cost as the primary considerations. Current users also frequently noted ease of changing as one of their most desired characteristics of such products.
Hygiene
Reusable menstrual products offer an alternative to disposable pads that contain irritating materials that may lead to skin rashes. Made of soft, breathable fabrics and sans scents or chemicals that could worsen period symptoms, reusable menstrual products provide relief without further worsening period symptoms.
Reusable menstrual cups are bell-shaped plastic inserts designed to sit in the vagina and collect menstrual fluid rather than absorb it, providing an ideal clean and quiet alternative to using tampons, which require frequent handwashing, changing in public restrooms and can potentially leak.
Girls and women living in developing nations often cannot afford the costs associated with sanitary products, which can make period poverty an insurmountable hurdle to education and professional opportunities. By providing Aida access to cost-effective reusable menstrual products she will stay in school while creating a better future for herself – using just one reusable pad can save her up to two days’ pay each month!
Cost
As single-use pads and tampons become more readily available, people increasingly turn to them. Not only are they economical and easy to locate; there is an incredible variety of brands, types, sizes available too.
But disposable products don’t come without their drawbacks: they contribute to our planet’s waste problem by polluting waterways and endangering marine life, as well as possibly containing dangerous chemicals that are detrimental to human health.
Reusable menstrual products provide a more environmentally-friendly solution. Although initially more costly, over time you could save both money and plastic waste! Furthermore, with high-quality products lasting years rather than purchasing multiple disposable pads each month. Many women report savings of thousands of pounds.
Convenience
Women, girls and people who menstruate often struggle to find affordable and sustainable methods of managing their periods. Without access to such solutions, many resort to using unconventional materials like rags, newspapers or tree leaves which may lead to discomfort as well as long-term health concerns.
Reusable menstrual products offer an effective solution, including period underwear, pads and menstrual cups. Reusables can be purchased online or at shops; alternatively they can even be created at home using easy-to-follow patterns and kits available online or locally.
When asked to list their top three preferred features of a reusable menstrual product, most participants highlighted comfort, protection from leakage and environmental sustainability as key characteristics. These features can be found across a range of reusable products ranging from applicator-less tampons and flannel pads to kits providing everything needed for a pleasant period experience. In contrast to disposable pads, these reusables not only cost less and better for your health but may help break period poverty chains that make life stressful each month for women affected.
Environment
Many women and girls lack access to safe menstrual products, often resorting to making do with unsafe materials that have long-term negative health impacts. This situation is particularly harmful in low-income countries where residents must often re-use soiled rags and newspapers or leave school during their periods due to being unable to afford more costly yet reliable solutions.
Single-use pads and tampons may contain up to 90% plastic, and should not be flushed or discarded carelessly, contaminating the environment. Reusable menstrual cups made from natural cotton fiber are biodegradable and more eco-friendly alternatives.
ActionAid offers training to local women in Malawi as part of its project in Malawi to enable them to make eco-friendly fabric menstrual pads that they can sell at local markets for a small income and greater reliability than conventional tampons. By learning this skill set, ActionAid helps create reliable access to more reliable menstrual products at more reasonable costs over time.
