Happy Menstrual Hygiene Days, ladies!
In honor of such a special day, I am going to write about my zero-waste period. This is a post that is a long time coming, both in actually writing it and in getting to this point in my ethical and sustainable journey.
This is a bit of a story and a bit of a guide to zero-waste periods.
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For years, when it came to my period, the environment was the least (literally the least) of my concerns. For someone who spends so much time thinking about ways to reduce my impact, I just could not muster up an ounce of care when my period rolls around. Why? It is hell. More on this below… but the biggest change I made was switching to applicator-free tampons and then moving to organic cotton. That was about all I could do. Or so, I thought.
But, then I read a bit about the waste that accompanies our periods. And, I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Each year, I choose a Sustainability Focus. One or two things that I want to work on in our home to make us more sustainable and in 2019, I wanted to work on reducing waste in the bathroom. But, at the beginning of 2019, I hadn’t even considered my period as part of it. I had a baby at the beginning of the year, and my period (or making it low-waste) was not on my mind at all. Really, the focus wasn’t either, until about mid-year, but my period hadn’t crossed my mind at all until November.
The Problem With Tampons and Pads
There are two big problems with tampons and pads (in my mind):
- The waste
- The ingredients
The Waste
Tampons and pads create a ton of waste. Yes, even the ones that are applicator free.
Plastic is pervasive in our menstrual products. From the outer wrap, the string, the applicator, and even in the absorbent part. Pads include even more: the leak-proof base, the material that soaks up the fluid, and the packaging. And because of sanitary reasons, the plastic is usually not recycled.
They are also usually made with cotton. Cotton is extremely water intensive and often uses pesticides and insecticides.
According to Saalt, 20 billion+ menstrual products are disposed of annually in just the US. Most of us will use over 10,000 tampons or more in our lifetimes. That is a ton of waste.
The Ingredients
For products that get so close to our bodies, they are surprisingly toxic. If we are going to try to clean our beauty and hygiene routines, we should really start with one of the things that touches one of the most sensitive area on our bodies, right?
Our tampons and pads are filled with toxins, like chlorine, fragrance (ugh!), petrochemicals (seriously), and carcinogens. After we allow them into our bodies and then throw them away, these chemicals enter the ground and seep into the groundwater and air.
Even most of the organic cotton and other more sustainable products contain plastic and bleach. All of this creates a ton of pollution and could be potentially damaging to our health.
Organicup has a lot more info on the environmental impact of tampons and pads, much of which convinced me to start considering a zero-waste period.
The Alternative
Ok, I will admit that at first the thought of a zero-waste period made me a little uneasy. I get queasy when it comes to blood. So, the thought of using anything reusable was downright scary to me. Add this to how heavy my periods are and I just couldn’t bring myself to considering much more than an applicator-free, organic tampon.
Then last November, while at my family’s house over Thanksgiving break, I got my period. Between pregnancy and breastfeeding, I hadn’t had it in over 18 months (it was a dream!), so I was surprised and not at all prepared. Because I was nowhere near home, I couldn’t reach for my old stash of tampons. I also packed badly, and did not bring a single pair of underwear with me, but that is another story…
Anyway, I decided this was a perfect time to try a zero-waste period.
My Choice: A Menstrual Cup & Period Panties
There are other alternatives to tampons and pads (listed below) but I decided that I would use a menstrual cup and period panties
One menstruation cup diverts about 3000 tampons and pads from landfills. It should also save you about $1500. (I love it when an eco-friendly product is cheaper and works better!) I initially had a little sticker shock as it was hard to spend $30 on period products but this one lasts…. Once I read this, I was decided. I was definitely going to get a menstrual cup.
I ended up deciding on Saalt and Thinx.
Why Saalt?
Because the packaging is just so pretty.
Just kidding. Well, not really. The packaging is beautiful. But I chose Saalt because after trying another cup that I didn’t like that much, I thought I’d give them a try because I like their mission.
Saalt gives out menstruation cups to women and girls in need. They are a Certified B Corp and donate 2% of their revenue to period care and education, women’s empowerment and sustainability initiatives. If you’ve read anything about period poverty, you know that the inability to afford tampons and pads keeps young women out of school and work, stigmatizes them, and creates unhygienic conditions. Saalt supports nonprofits that help end period poverty.
I had a tough time getting the hang of these. The first menstrual cup I tried got stuck. Like really stuck. I spent about a half an hour trying to get it out and then left it in longer than recommended. At one point, I considered having my husband help. But, I finally got it out. I switched cup brands after this, and have been happier with Saalt.
Now that I am used to it, I really like it. It is more comfortable than tampons, and much more reliable! I rarely worry about leaks. I also don’t have to worry about being unprepared and not leaving the house with enough tampons.
If you try a menstrual cup and don’t like it at first, give it a few tries. It definitely takes a bit of skill. Here are a few tips to learning how to use your cup. Give it a few tries before you give up. I certainly had to.
A few other menstrual cup benefits: they pack easier than tampons and pads and I think they are much more vagina-friendly. They are significantly less drying.
Why Thinx?
Well, truthfully, they were the first period panties that I had ever heard of, so I thought I’d give them a go. I read a few reviews online and they seemed like the most well-liked, and I think they are cute.
They also give back to help support period health, equity, education, and access.
Once I tried them, I knew that I made the right choice. I bought two pairs right away: the sport and the cheeky. And have added a few more of the same ones to my collection since. They are very comfortable, and cute (certainly cuter than my previous period underwear!).
I took their “know your flow” quiz, and use Thinx as backup during my heavy days, and then wear them alone towards the end of my period.
I wear them, rinse them, and then wash them in a lingerie bag. Then hang to dry (no dryer!).
Alternatives to Period Panties & Menstrual Cups
There are a handful of other options to reduce the waste of your period. I have not tried them, but thought I’d share as a resource.
Cloth Pads
Cloth pads work exactly the way a disposable pad works. You choose a size based on your flow, attach to your underwear, and wear. Then you wring them out, rinse and then wash. You can find them all over the Internet, including on Etsy, at Rael (another company that gives back), and New Moon Pads.
Organic
If you aren’t ready to make the switch to zero waste (I get it!), switch over to organic pads and tampons. They are much better for your health and the environment. Also, try an applicator free tampon as it reduced waste by 40%.
I only have experience with Natracare, so can’t really recommend any others, although Rael also offers organic disposable period products and I like that they give back.
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If you haven’t tried a lower waste period, I get it. It took me a long time to make the switch. But, now that I have, I wish I would have done it ages ago. I love my menstrual cup and I have significantly fewer leaks, which lets me take better care of my clothes too. And, it really is more comfortable. If you have made the switch, what are you using and how did it go?