Your guide to sustainable and eco-friendly periods
Ah, that monthly cycle that nobody looks forward to. Period. Around 2 billion of us experience them every month, yet periods remain a taboo subject. They aren’t talked about openly, and many people, women included, often refer to the monthly cycle as ‘that time of the month’. Whilst society is seeking more sustainable ways of living across fashion, diet and zero waste living, periods are falling behind.
Look at pop culture, you have to dig deep to see even a glimpse of period references. For instance, in the Fifty Shades of Grey novel, there’s the famous scene where Grey pulls out a tampon from Steele’s body, but this scene was left out of the Hollywood film adaptation. Instances where periods are talked about in the mainstream tend to be linked to comedy or horror. With all this in mind, and the societal ‘period shaming’ that makes women feel the need to be secretive and hide their period, there’s no wonder periods aren’t getting the airtime they deserve in sustainability. It’s not harder or more costly to be period savvy, it’s you just have to do your own research and be prepared to speak out to find alternatives.
How many tampons does the average woman use in a year?
Most of us have been brought up to manage our periods the disposable way, through tampons and pads. With busy lifestyles, tampons are an easy go-to. Throw them away, pop them in the sanitary bin (or, in some cases, down the loo) and that’s done with. But it doesn’t end there.
The average menstrator throws away up to 200kg of menstrual products in a lifetime. A year’s worth of disposable menstrual products leaves a carbon footprint go 5.3kg Co2. (1) It was also revealed that 4.8 menstrual items were found for every 100 metres of beach across the UK. That’s staggering. And it’s not just the waste we’re creating that we should be concerned about. Although tampon manufacturers and the FDA reassure that tampons are safe to use, toxic ingredients found in tampons shouldn't be ignored. Tampons contain alcohols, fragrance additives, hydrocarbons that produce dioxins and other endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s). With all of this is mind it’s time we enlightened ourselves to the issue - because no-one else wants to do it for us.
Alternatives to tampons and pads
Luckily for us and society there are plenty of alternatives to tampons and towels. To make it easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of them all here:
Dame // www.wearedame.co
Instagram @dameforgood
Dame is the creator of the world’s first reusable tampon applicator, named D. D is made of Mediprene® by UK medical engineers, which is BPA free, leak free, and built for life. Antibacterial Sanipolymers® inside the Mediprene® act as natural sterilisers, helping the product to stay clean.
How do you use the D?
Pop a Dame organic tampon in the D and simply use as you would a standard applicator, but don’t throw the applicator away! Wash the applicator under running water and dry clean with a paper towel ready for the next time.
Dame also has a whole suite of sustainable products including organic cotton tampons, which are free from toxins and synthetic materials. They claim that ‘Your D could save another 12,000 disposable applicators from entering our oceans.’
Prices start from £8.50
Mooncup // www.mooncup.co.uk
Instagram @mooncupltd
The Mooncup is so far removed from the tampons we’re used to, and has so many positives. It’s made from soft, medical-grade silicone creating real comfort. Unlike a tampon, the Mooncup is non-absorbent so it won’t dry you out or leave fibres behind. It also holds 3x more than a regular tampon, giving you longer-lasting protection. It’ll for up to ten years, paying for itself.
So how does the Mooncup work?
Once the Mooncup is inside it opens up and forms a light seal with the vaginal wall which holds it in place. It sits lower than a tampon and is taken out using the 5cm-long stem. It can be emptied, rinsed and reinserted every four eight hours.
The Mooncup costs £21.99
Period Pants
Ok, when I first started my research into sustainable periods I wasn’t expecting to find out about period pants. But there are so many options available.
Period pants look and feel just like normal underwear, so you don’t have to deal with the bulk and discomfort that comes with using pads. They come with a special layer that stops blood from seeping through, replacing the need for pads, tampons and liners. Let’s take a look at the options available for period pants:
Thinx // www.shethinx.com
Instagram @shethinx
Thinx period pants come in so many styles including hiphuggers, boyshorts and hi-waist options. Each style gives a different absorbency level, starting from 2 regular tampons worth up to 4 regular tampons. Each style can be worn to back-up tampons, to wear on lighter flow days, or used alone, without the use of any tampon or pad.
Simply wear like normal pants. Thinx are washable, reusable, and easy to care for. Rinse, wash them separately, or with the rest of your laundry, steering clear of bleach and fabric softener and hang dry.
Prices from £18.84
Cheeky Wipes // www.cheekywipes.com
Instagram @cheekywipes
Cheeky Wipes sell a whole host of sustainable products, from period pants to make-up removing pads. Their period pant styles range from pretty and lace designed to simple and functional. The Cheeky Wipes’ pants are moisture wicking, highly absorbent and are made with breathable fabric. Choose from pants designed for heavy flow days to lighter days.
Cheeky Wipes’ period pants are machine washable on cold (maximum 30 degrees). They recommend not using bleach or fabric softener or putting them in the tumble dryer.
Prices start from £8
Period subscription service
Period subscription services are a great way to celebrate the period. And there are some great eco-friendly options out there. Although subscription services don’t hold the same sustainability as the Mooncup or the D, they do provide the option of a greener way to manage your periods.
&Sisters // www.andsisters.co.uk
Instagram @andsistersuk
&Sisters’ subscription boxes allow you to personalise your period, letting you choose the types of tampons and pads tailored to your flow. Simply choose your plan and they’ll send it out to you in pretty, letter box-sized, eco-friendly packaging.
Their eco-applicator tampons are made from biodegradable cardboard applicators. The tampon insert is crafted from 100% pure natural organic cotton fibres and cotton thread with no synthetics, no harmful chemicals and no perfumes. Their pads are made with varying high levels of organic cotton and biodegradable biopolymer. Also, 10% of their profits are donated to help tackle period poverty across the globe.
Prices start from £1.50
TOTM // www.totm.com
Instagram @totmorganic
‘We’ll deliver your favourite products to your door in line with your menstrual cycle.’ TOTM use 100% organic cotton, certified by the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). It’s a cruelty-free brand with a range registered with The Vegan Society. You can purchase everything from applicator tampons to menstrual cups, opting for individual tampons or a full subscription service.
Whilst organic cotton and paper wrapped tampons aren’t fully sustainable, as ultimately it all ends in landfill, they are certainly are safer way to manage your periods.
Periods have a way to go before bring normalised in society but that doesn’t mean we can’t go against the grain. These brands are helping to fly the flag for periods, celebrate them and embrace eco-friendly alternatives to standard tampons and pads.
REFERENCES
(1) Women’s Environmental Network