A guide to Sustainable Period Products
Like many of us, we were raised to believe that disposable pads were the only way to manage our menstrual cycles. We saw our mothers and aunts using cloth napkins which didn’t seem “modern and efficient” and vowed to be more progressive for ourselves and use the leakproof, disposable sanitary pads and tampons.
However, according to the Women’s Environmental Network, a woman will go through an average of more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products throughout the course of her life, which is an extraordinary amount of waste. These conventional non-organic pads/tampons are made from plastic and polymers and take anywhere between 500–800 years to biodegrade. This means that every pad and tampon ever used is still in a landfill somewhere. Somewhere, we also know Indian waste workers are ill-equipped to handle sanitary waste. Additionally, once improperly disposed, they end up in landfills and eventually break down into #microplastics leaching water bodies and harming flora and fauna.
However, in current scenarios when many people are beginning to show greater consideration towards the environment, perhaps it’s time women experiment with sanitary products that are more sustainable. There are sustainable period products such as the reusable sanitary pads, menstrual cups and period underwear. Depending on your budget and comfort, you can choose any or all of these sustainable period products to be used in combination. These can be reused for years if well taken care of. These products are also affordable, thus saving money over the course of your menstruating years, and give the environment a much-needed break from disposable plastics!
Reusable cloth pads mimic what women have been using since ages and are easy to adopt. Depending on the type of flow, the reusable pad styles vary in length and absorbency levels. It also has buttons on the wings to hold the pad securely on your underwear. Cloth pads aren’t thick and bulky either. They are light to wear, unlike plastic pads do not cause rashes and irritation, have a comfortable fabric (generally cotton) and are good enough to last one 4–6 hours (depending on the flow). Many come with a leak proof pouch to stash away the used pads until you get home to wash them too.
It is very easy to clean the cloth pads. Simply keep them soaked in normal water (design side down) for the blood to wash out. After an hour or so, rinse the pad by applying soap under running water (if you are washing by hand) else put them in the washing machine as you would do for normal clothes. Once washed, let the sun and air work it’s magic in drying the cloth pads and giving them a fresh feel. It is estimated that a cloth pad can replace 120 disposable female hygiene products, thus saving your money, saving the environment and most importantly, is beneficial to your health.
Menstrual cups are flexible bell-shaped receptacles, made of medical grade silicone, that collect blood (rather than absorb) and need vaginal insertion. Imagine not having to throw something away each time you have your period — you just have to empty, clean, and reinsert a menstrual cup during a period and sterilize it to be ready for the next. This can be used for a longer duration, say 6–8 hours (Depending on your flow). They are available in various sizes like small, medium, large depending on the cervix
Some users do face a steep learning curve before they master the art of inserting the cup properly. Some people may also feel squeamish or uncomfortable about their menstrual blood, but it does take time.
Menstrual cups are way cheaper too as the purchase can last a few years, versus a monthly reinvestment, which can save you lots of money over time. The environmental impact is also less as the number of plastic pads winding up in landfills is reduced.
These are underwear which are absorbent and washable. Most of them provide leak-proof protection; some can actually be worn instead of a pad or tampon on light flow days. Using these in combination with other sustainable products can reduce the usage of conventional pads or no pads at all.
You might think that something as small as switching to sustainable period products can’t make much difference, but the more people think that, the less progress we can make in keeping the planet sustainable for generations. You can purchase all of these products at the Ceiba Store too!
