I know when you are menstruating fighting mood swings and cramps’, thinking about how tampon can affect the environment is not on your mind. But it should be. If you want a better environment for the future generation, you need to be environmentally conscious.
If you think that tampons and pads don’t affect the environment, you are wrong. They are not the biggest polluter, but the process of making and disposing of it does add to the pollution. The cotton and other material used to make pads do harm Mother Earth. Most women dispose of between 10,000 and 15,000 pads and tampons in her lifetime. It is a lot of junk when taken into account all the number of women using pads.
Must Read 6 Foods for Healthy Uterus
So, how can you have environmentally-friendly periods? Well, just switch to reusable sanitary products. They are eco-friendly and economical.
Read on to find the best alternatives to pads/tampons:
Table of Contents
1. Cloth menstrual pads
Reusable cloth menstrual pads are similar to disposable pads in design. They too are worn externally and stick to the underwear, keeping it in place. The only and big difference is that cloth pads are made with natural materials like cloth. They don’t use plastic or cotton and thus are eco-friendly, convenient and safe to use. Also, they are affordable, and you can use them again so in the long run, they are cost-effective too.
The best cloth menstrual pads offer protection against the heavy flow, are affordable, reusable and don’t harm the environment. Know here about best cloth menstrual pads.
2. Period Panties
Period panties have thin reusable in-built pads that soak the blood. The panties work just like a normal pad but can be used again after washing. Just wear the panties during your periods and change when the pad feels heavy. It works even on heavy flow and is easy to clean. They cost more upfront than a pad/tampon, but they last longer so it is actually a smart investment.
3. Green Pads
If you still feel more comfortable using a pad, then switch to green pads. Green pads are the pads that are eco-friendly and are created using natural materials. So, use brands that use more natural and less harmful chemical products in their sanitary products like Maxim produce pads.
4. Sea Sponges
If you want a menstrual product that is environmentally friendly and works like a tampon, then go for sea sponges. Sea sponges are inserted into the vagina directly. It needs to be taken out every three hours for cleaning. After cleaning, re-insert it. It also soaks blood better than a tampon and is comfortable too.
Also, they grow in the ocean meaning that they are natural. It is harvested using a little chemical which makes it biodegradable.
5. Reusable Tampons
They are not as popular as reusable pads, but reusable tampons are available in the market. They are usually knit or sewn to a strong material that can absorb menstrual fluids. Just like a regular tampon, they are inserted into the vagina directly. For cleaning, just soak them for a while and then clean and dry it. You can find reusable tampons on Etsy.
6. The Menstrual Cup
The best environmentally-friendly option is a menstrual cup. A menstrual cup is a round shaped device made using medical grade silicone. It is inserted into the vagina to collect blood. They are the best alternative to tampons as they can be used for up to 5 years. Also, they have amazing benefits- they are affordable (in long-run), don’t leak, can be worn overnight and so on.
The menstrual cup benefits the environment too as they last for many years. Thus, there is no disposing of tons of pads/tampons and harming the environment. The best menstrual cups are- Luna Cup, Blossom Cup, DivaCup and many more.
In the end, choosing a reusable menstrual product will make you feel better. It will make you feel proud that you are doing something good for the environment. So, make the switch, it will make you feel happy, and in control.
