Let’s talk about period products. According to an article by Leaf Score, the average person who menstruates will do so for around four decades of their life and will use somewhere around 9,000-10,000 tampons to manage menstruation. This produces up to 300 pounds of period-related products in a lifetime. Furthermore, according to a 2019 study, a single disposable pad can take 500 to 800 years to break down. These statistics have weighed on my consciousness as I have searched for ways to be more sustainable options in my day-to-day life. Thus, I have found some more sustainable period products that might be right for you to reduce your period-related waste.
- Applicator Free Tampons
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A great first step into the world of less environmentally harmful period products would be to get rid of the plastic applicators. Whether that means first switching to cardboard applicators or going straight to applicator-free tampons, there is no real reason to use so much excess plastic. While some ladies enjoy the “cleanliness” or convenience of using an applicator, it’s time to think beyond ourselves. Plastic applicators are just excess. Some brands make tampons without applicators such as O.B. I also think that switching to applicator-free tampons is a great transition step before using a menstrual cup, as you can get more comfortable inserting products without an applicator without jumping straight to a menstrual cup.
Product suggestion: O.B. Tampons: $6.59 @ Target
- The Menstrual Cup
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Last year, during the Her Campus Diva Cup sponsorship, I was introduced to the world of menstrual cups. I learned that the cups can last for YEARS before being replaced. Thus, a woman may only need to purchase 5-10 cups throughout her menstruation. This means you can hold on to the money that you’d typically spend on buying new pads and tampons every couple of months. Honestly, I have used the Diva Cup, and I have come to prefer it to tampons, as you almost forget that you’re on your period. The cup can stay in for 6-12 hours, which means you do not need to consistently run to the bathroom. Thus, you get a cheaper, more user-friendly product while also lessening your environmental impact!
Product suggestion: DivaCup Model 1: $39.99 @ DivaCup.com
- Period Underwear
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I have never tried period underwear but they seem to be the up-and-coming period product. They absorb just like a pad would but you don’t have to throw them out at the end of the day. Just pop them in your washing machine! They come in different cuts, styles, and absorbency levels so you can choose what works best for you. Again, like the menstrual cups, period underwear is a one-time purchase that will also keep down your expenses. Even if you only use this product on the light days of your cycle, you can still make a significant impact on your overall consumption.
Product suggestion: Thinx Underwear: $24.99-39.99 @ Thinx.com
Ultimately, the period products you use should make that time of the month as easy and uneventful as possible. Using sustainable products does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. However, I encourage you to explore what alternative period products might work for you!