Period products produce 200,000 of waste per year, it is estimated that pads are 90% made of plastic! The Marine Conservation Society reported that 4.8 pieces of menstrual waste are found per 100 m of beaches cleaned, as well as there is more plastic from period wastes in our oceans too. Not only is plastic waste from periods bad but there are so many harmful chemicals too. Walking down a supermarket aisle next to menstrual products and you'll smell the familiar smell of chemicals, it turns out some of the chemicals are harmful and are carcinogens (cancer causing), irritants, allergens and are potential endocrine disruptors. Parabens have also been found in menstrual products, parabens are linked to reducing fertility, as well as pesticides have also been found in menstrual products and these are just a few of the chemical you put near vagina monthly.
Switching to a plastic free period not only helps the planet but helps you to avoid putting harmful chemical near your vagina. In this post I will suggest some alternatives to tampons and sanitary pads that you can use.
A menstrual cup, also known as a mooncup
Menstrual cups tend to come in 2 sizes: if you have given birth and if you have not given birth. Menstrual cups help to produce 99.9% less waste than a regular tampon, as you can reuse your menstrual cup for up to 10 years. I personally love using a menstrual cup as I find that I cannot feel it as you would a tampon and you can wear them for up to 12 hours which is very convenient as I don't have to constantly change my tampon and there's little/ no risk of Toxic shock syndrome. I personally use a menstrual cup from Organicup, who are not only helping the planet but are also helping to prevent period poverty and increase awareness on plastic free periods. It definitely took some getting use to at first but now this is my favourite period products.
Reusable Pads
Reusable Pads are also another great alternative for those who are not keen on menstrual cups or tampons. I own Hey Girls reusable pads and they are super easy to clean and are just like a regular pad to use, you can also find other brands in your local plastic free shop (if they stock plastic free period products) or there are many brands available online.
Period Pants
Reusable pants may sound disgusting but they are amazing.You wear them like normal pants then put them in to wash at the end of the day, and they leave no foul odours. You can buy these in a variety of shapes and sizes. I own Modibodi period Pants, and they're really good. I was nervous at first that they might leak but they didn't and once I got use to them I felt so comfortable.
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| Modibodi Period pants (picture of Sensual Bikini underwear from Modibodi website) |
Reusable Tampon Applicators
If you prefer to use an applicator to insert your tampons then try buying free tampons and using a reusable applicator to insert them. A brand I've heard of that sell these is Dame, they include 6 tampons when you buy them. Dame are a carbon neutral company as well as use 100% cotton to make their tampons.
Organic Tampons
As I mentioned earlier there are so many harmful chemicals going into your vagina each month that you might want to consider organic so there are less chemicals entering your body. This is a great alternative if you want to reduce chemical waste. Overuse of pesticides leads to eutrophication, which is damaging to water environments from the overgrowth of surface plants eventually leading to fish dying. Some brands have also made their organic tampons biodegradable so there is no plastic wasted.
SIDE NOTE: I am not sponsored by any of the brands, the brands I mention are some that I have used or have heard recommended to me. Feel free to comment/ suggest anymore brands that you have heard of or used in the comments.
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