How To Have An Eco-Friendly Period

 

Just because you’re PMSing, doesn’t mean you have to take it out on the planet.

Did you know that over 700,000 period products will end up in our landfills every day?

These disposable period products could be up to 90% plastic, which is the same as four plastic shopping bags in just one pad. If the average goes through 11,000 tampons in her lifetime that means she is throwing 44,000 plastic bags into landfills.

Since the plastics found in disposable period products are generally non-biodegradable, your tampon will be on this earth long after you’re gone.

We know that time of the month can be the absolute worst and you’re probably not thinking about saving the pandas while you’re suffering from cramps and scrambling around for that one tampon you know you had.

But swapping out your disposable products even for a few days of your cycle, can cut the impact of period products on the environment in half.

Changing up your routine can be scary. We all get used to their routines, and it can be confusing to figure out what alternatives are available. We’ve got you! There’s a huge range of affordable, eco-friendly period products on the market right now – and we’ve put them all in a handy list.

Organic Tampons or Pads

This is probably one of the easiest options if you are hesitant about making the move to green products. Organic tampons work the same way has regular tampons but instead of plastic, both the absorbent body and the string are made out of organic cotton or natural bamboo, which can be composted. They can come with or without an applicator which is either made of cardboard or a bio-degradable plastic.

Organic pads are basically the same thing. Organic disposable pads are made out of non-bleached organic cotton. The sticky backing is usually made from a compostable material like a vegetable gum glue and corn-starch tear strips.

Reusable Tampon Applicator

Reusable applicators can be used with any type of tampon. It should last you about ten years. They are generally made out of a specific type of plastic which won’t house any bacteria. Once you are finished using the applicator, give a rinse with some water pop it back into it’s little pouch and you are all set.

Reusable Pads

If you want to take your eco-friendly journey a step further and eliminate waste altogether then try out some reusable products. Reusable pads are usually made from bamboo or organic cotton and work in the exact same way as your regular disposable pad.

They generally need to be changed likely need every 4-8 hours. They are super easy to wash just rinse with cold water and pop them into the washing machine.

Period Pants 

Period pants have been making the rounds fr a few years but they have really improved in quality and are a great choice to stay comfy and protected on your period.

Period knickers are super absorbent with a moisture wicking gusset, so you can bleed freely for up to 12 hours with no unpleasant odors. They even come in a variety of styles, from high-waisted to bikini briefs.

All period knickers are machine washable, making them  a great eco-friendly choice.

Menstrual Cup

This is basically a reusable tampon. Its discreet, comfortable, easy to use and completely eco-friendly.

A menstrual cup is a funnel-shaped cup with a stem. It’s typically made from rubber or silicone so it’s flexible enough to be bent and inserted into the vagina pain-free.

It can be worn for up to 12 hours. To clean and sanitize the cup just boiling hot water, make sure to let the cup cool down before you use it again.

You’ve got this!

 

 

Tags:

• eco-friendly
• menstrual cups
• Period