Throughout a life of a person who menstruates, 1000-1500 pads and tampons are estimated to have been thrown away, generating tons of waste for our planet. Around 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are disposed of each year in the USA.
Not only do these products get thrown into the sea, posing harm to marine creatures, but the materials for such products such as microplastics, take centuries and centuries to fully decompose. If this continues, it will most certainly pose an even bigger threat to our environment and add to the escalating issue of water pollution as well as global warming.
Disposable period pads are laden with chemicals such as perfume and plastic like polyethylene and polyacrylate gels. The chemicals may cause problems such as rashes, infertility, and itchiness. The plastic in the pads is non-biodegradable and takes up to dozens of years to be completely broken. When incinerated, toxic dioxins and greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. Therefore, by using sustainable period products, not only is it more affordable and convenient, but it is also more eco- friendly.
We can use the following eco-friendly products!
1. Menstrual cups:
•Around $200
•They last for at least 2 years
•Large variety of sizes and textures
•High capacity - up to 6omL light-weight
•Hypoallergenic
•Low maintenance
•Lower chance of leaking because the pad is built into the gusset
2. Period panties and boxers:
•It's convenient for people who like to work out since it prevents the slipping of pads.
•How it works: It performs the same job as a tampon and pad by absorbing menstrual fluid but the advantage is that they are washable. Furthermore, they can be worn and reused for up to 2 years.
•Can carry more menstrual fluid than tampons and pads!
3. Reusable pads:
•Made of cloth and bamboo fleece
•Very soft and comfortable to wear
•Works for 3-5 years
•Reusable sanitary pads work the same as normal pads but are more sustainable and environmentally friendly
•We can repurpose worn-out reusable pads into other items such as cleaning rags.
4. Organic and biodegradable tampons:
•Normal tampons are made from a mixture of plastic, cotton, and rayon.The string is made from plastic, polystyrene.
•Chemicals and toxins used in tampons will get soaked up by the earth or get released into the air, causing air and pollution.
•Uses most plastic so it's deemed the worst harmful product to our environment.
•Advantage: Biodegradable as they're made from 100% cotton and recyclable.
For you and the environment, sustainable period pads are important because of the toxins in them and the toxins they add to the environment.
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