Sustainable Periods and Where to Find Them
In the past few years period companies have become more focused on sustainable periods and there has been a shift in how we choose to manage our periods. Gone are the days of just towels and tampons and honestly, I am here for it. Whilst I fully understand we do not all want or are able to to use reusable products, we can find more sustainable solutions. The effects plastics and non-recycle period products have on the environment are huge.
The facts
Some pads are made of 90% plastic while tampons have at least 6% plastic.
Mass-produced menstrual products are disposable and contain plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that are harmful to the environment.
Plastic tampon applicators and not widely recycled due to their size, mixed material and being in contact with bodily fluids.
It is estimated that between 1.5 -2 billion single-use period products are flushed down toilets each year - 4.6 million every single day! these can end up in our seas and washed up on our beaches which then have detrimental effects on humans, wildlife and natural habitats.
10% of sewage related debris on beaches is composed of period pads, liners/backing strips, tampons, and applicators.
Women and people who menstruate use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime – based on an average of 38 years of menstruating using 22 items of menstrual products per cycle, with 13 cycles per year.
Solutions
Try sustainable period products, several tampons now come with eco-friendly applicators and companies now offer reusable applicators. You can now also find towels that have more eco-friendly packaging in place of plastics.
Make the switch to reusable period products such as pants, towels and cups. Our wonderful partners Hey Girls now offer many of these.
The takeaway, try to find more sustainable products and don't flush used towels and pads!