Sanitary plus period products make up a large portion of bathroom waste. An average person who receives their period will experience them around 400 times, disposing of approximately 11,000 period products equal to 200kgs of waste.
Many people use pads and traditional tampons, which may contain some chemicals and take around 500-800 years to decompose. According to WUKA, periods should not cost the earth, and some of the eco-friendly alternatives to pads and tampons include:
Period panties
These are the easiest to put on because they are regular panties with built-in thick period protection, making them a good option for people who prefer pads to tampons. They are comfortable and come in different absorbent levels to accommodate people with different flows. WUKA has heavy and light flow period pants and their heavy flow ones can absorb around four tampons worth of blood.
They also come in different sizes, fabrics, and styles, either briefs or thong-like. You can wear them for 10-12 hours, but if you have light flow period pants, you can wear them longer, making them a good choice for traveling. After removing them, ensure you wash them immediately and let them air dry to prevent odor.
You can also go for period leggings, which also have thick period-proof padding, allowing you to go commando when you wear them. You can also wear them with your panties for extra security.
Menstrual cups
These are funnel-shaped devices made using flexible, medical-grade silicone and are among the most preferred alternatives, especially for people who prefer tampons. Instead of absorbing blood, they hold it until you remove and empty them.
You can have them on for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow, after which you only have to wash and dry them. With proper care, menstrual cups can last for up to two years. They come in different sizes to accommodate all flows.
Menstrual disc
These work similar to menstrual cups, where you insert them into the vagina and hold the blood until you empty them. However, instead of placing them below the cervix, these go into the vaginal fornix, which is deeper.
You can have them on for 12 hours, and they hold around five tampons worth of blood. Like the cups, it might be hard and messy to insert them but becomes easier as you get used to them. After washing, you can use a small amount of vinegar to prevent odor.
Reusable pads
These are a better and eco-friendly version of regular pads made using absorbent material that you can wash after use. Unlike standard pads that have a lot of chemicals in them, these are mainly made using natural materials, making them safer for the body and environment.
You can find them in different patterns, designs, and absorbent levels, and they mostly come with proper fastenings.
Menstrual sponges
If you love using tampons, this is an eco-friendly and safer option. Also referred to as sea sponge tampons or period sponges, menstrual sponges are natural sponges taken from the ocean that you can use and clean for around six months.
They are free of chlorine, dyes, chemicals, bleach, fragrance, and synthetic materials that are dangerous to the body and harm the environment after disposal.
Being some of the most used bathroom utilities, period products have a lot of impact on the environment. Before choosing which one is a good alternative for you, try them all out for some time and see which one matches your flow and goals.
