The average woman has around 450 periods in their lifetime. This means buying enough period disposables for about 3,500 days or ten years’ worth of periods. Not only will this amount to a massive expenditure in today’s world, where disposal of waste is clogging up so many of our natural ecosystems, but period waste also counts towards a lot of non-biodegradable wastes. Read on to find out more about the environmental impact of commonly used sanitary products such as sanitary pads, tampons, and more sustainable alternatives such as reusable pads, period underwear, and menstrual cups.
The awareness surrounding sustainability has also increased exponentially over the past few years, mainly due to the reach of social media and young, inspiring pioneers advocating change, such as well-known activist Greta Thunberg. Eco-friendly products are starting to gain traction and forging their way into many markets, including the female hygiene industry. The phrase “green menstruation” refers to the movement of sustainable menstruation by reducing waste and choosing more environmentally friendly options.
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Environmental Impact of Commonly Used Sanitary Products
● Sanitary Napkins
Sanitary pads usually contain over 90% of plastics. This is enough plastic to produce four shopping bags! The decomposition of this plastic layer in menstrual pads takes a shocking 500-800 years. The environmental hazards coupled with the risk of contamination and infection means that the impact of the disposal of these products is enormous.
Many brands of sanitary napkins also contain chemicals that are harmful to the skin and the environment. With increasing awareness about eco-femme products, several start-ups have focused on ethically sourced, paraben/chemical-free, and biodegradable sanitary products. While this is still a step in the right direction, it does not minimize the waste generated.
● Tampons
Tampons are more eco-friendly than sanitary napkins as they have a lower plastic content and take considerably less time to degrade – typically only around six months!
However, tampons are packaged in many small plastic containers, and it is well known that smaller plastics have a much more horrifying impact than bigger pieces of plastic. Tampons are also incorrectly disposed of by flushing them down the toilet, leading to blockages.
Possible Alternatives
● Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are tiny silicone cups that can be folded and inserted to collect menstrual fluid and can be reused for almost ten years. This long-lasting solution significantly lowers the burden on menstrual waste, and it is a product that many are transitioning to.
● Reusable Cloth Pads
For those who are more comfortable using pads, this is one of the best alternatives on the market. These pads are usually made up of cotton, making them comfortable and lightweight, and can be washed and reused up to 250 times. These are already very popularly used in rural and underdeveloped areas as they are a cheap and cost-effective solution.
● Period Underwear
Finally, period underwear is probably the best and closest alternatives to sanitary napkins. As the name suggests, they are panties designed specifically to be worn during menstruation. They can come in all sorts of varieties you normally find underwear in – boy shorts, hipsters, etc. They also come in different sizes to suit your flow better. They are comfortable, well-fitting, and the biggest advantage is preventing any leakage, making them ideal to be worn anytime and anywhere.
With these many options on the market worth looking into, it is important to take a second to reevaluate your carbon footprint and make a conscious choice to go green wherever possible.