👋 This is a guest blog by Green Squirrel volunteer Lauren – thanks Lauren!
If you’re conscious about your impact on our planet, you’ve probably already made the switch away from a number of single-use plastic items. Maybe you always take your reusable tote bag to the shops, say no to plastic straws, or never forget to pack your reusable water bottle or keep-cup!
But have you ever thought about the plastic in your period products? Many of us overlook these essential items without realising the impact they have on our planet. In this blog, we explain exactly what’s in your period products, what kind of impact they have on the environment, and how you can take action to make your period plastic-free and planet-friendly.
Before we get into the good stuff... would you like a freebie?
We’re having a giveaway of menstruation cups as part of the Clothes Swap on 3rd May at Railway Gardens!
This year we’re hosting a special eco period zone to help people make the switch to a plastic-free period. If you want to give plastic-free periods a go, come along to learn more and take home some free samples of items to try. See you there!
What are my period products made from?
You may not be aware that your period products, whether you use pads or tampons, are full of plastic. It’s not just the wrappers and applicators; up to 90% of menstrual pads and 6% of tampons are made of plastic. In fact, one pack of pads is equivalent to 4 plastic bags!
But it’s not just plastic we need to be aware of. According to Plastic Free, in the UK, manufacturers don’t legally have to tell us what is in our period products, and independent testing of period products is not made public. But recent tests conducted by Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) revealed undisclosed toxic chemicals in tampons and pads. You can learn more about the health risks linked to plastic period products here.
What happens when we throw them away?
Period products today are designed to be disposable, contributing significantly to single-use plastic pollution all over the world. According to Plastic Free, a shocking 10% of sewage related debris on beaches is composed of plastic from menstrual products. This plastic breaks down into micro-plastics which pollute our water, soil and air, doing serious damage to our delicate ecosystems.
In the UK, the disposal of tampons, pads and applicators generates an estimated 28,114 tonnes of waste every year. Most of these items end up in landfills, are incinerated or are flushed into water systems. If we think about this individually, the average person who menstruates throws away up to 200 kg of menstrual products in their lifetime. This has a big impact on the health of our planet but it also means there is an opportunity to make a huge difference by making your period plastic-free!
What are my options?
The good news is that there are loads of different options out there for you to have a plastic-free period. We’ve rounded up a list of the products available and some helpful information about each one so you can choose the option that feels right for you and your body.
Organic and plastic-free pads & tampons
Organic and plastic-free pads and tampons work exactly like the regular plastic kind, but are made of less harmful materials!
- Made of organic cotton, wood-pulp or bioplastic
- Suitable for a range of flows
- Pads should be changed every 3-4 hours
- Tampons should be changed between 4-8 hours
- You can find these in some supermarkets, chemists or online
- To dispose, just fold the pad or wrap the tampon in toilet paper and pop it in the bin or home compost – just remember to NEVER flush period-products down the toilet!
The average cost works out around 25p per pad and 19p per tampon, but this varies by brand. Here are two easy-to-find brands:
TOTM is a Welsh period-care brand that provide tampons, pads and liners. All their products are made with 100% organic cotton that’s responsibly sourced and meets ethical standards.
Grace & Green are a British period-care brand that offers tampons, pads and liners, all made with 100% certified cotton and bamboo. They also provide a subscription service so you’re never caught without a pad when you need one!
Reusable pads
Reusable pads work just like disposable plastic pads, but they are designed to be washed and reused rather than thrown away.
- Made from cotton, bamboo or synthetic materials
- Suitable for a range of flows
- Change every 3-4 hours like a normal pad
- Can last up to 5 years if well cared for, just hand wash or machine wash and hang out to dry
- While out and about, just rinse with cold water and store in a wet bag – most brands give you one of these when you buy their pads
- You can buy them online or in some supermarkets and health food shops
- Or you could try making your own!
Reusable pads
Reusable pads work just like disposable plastic pads, but they are designed to be washed and reused rather than thrown away.
- Made from cotton, bamboo or synthetic materials
- Suitable for a range of flows
- Change every 3-4 hours like a normal pad
- Can last up to 5 years if well cared for, just hand wash or machine wash and hang out to dry
- While out and about, just rinse with cold water and store in a wet bag – most brands give you one of these when you buy their pads
- You can buy them online or in some supermarkets and health food shops
- Or you could try making your own!
The average cost is £4.50 per pad or 18p per use over the product lifetime. However you will need a set of pads to allow for changing, washing and drying. Here are a couple of brands to look out for:
DAME are a UK-based period-care brand that make reusable pads made of vegan and organic materials. They are waterproof, machine-washable and each pad has five layers that work together for total period protection!
Zero Waste Torfaen is a Welsh zero waste shop that sells reusable pads. All of their pads are made locally in Cwmbran by Lane at Willowlane Designs.
Free washable period pads from Cardiff People First
Cardiff People First are offering free washable period pads and period pants to anyone in Cardiff with a learning disability and/or autism who has periods, thanks to Cardiff Council Period Dignity and Cheeky Pants.
Get in touch by emailing Becky on becky@cardiff peoplefirst.org.uk or leave a message for her on their landline 029 2023 1555.
Period pants
Reusable period underwear gets rid of the need for individual period products as the underwear itself collects blood while you wear them.
- Suitable for a range of flows (hold between 1-10 regular tampons worth of blood)
- Change them every 4-12 hours depending on your flow
- Can last up to 3 years if well cared for, just hand wash or machine wash and hang to dry
- While out and about, simply rinse with cold water and store in a wet bag – most brands give you one of these when you buy
- You can buy them online, or in some supermarkets and health food shops
The average cost is around £10 – £20 per pair so they are more of an investment, but they work out to cost about 40p – 80p per use over the product lifetime. Similarly to the reusable pads, you’ll need 2 or 3 pairs to allow for changing, washing and drying. Here’s a couple of brands worth checking out:
WUKA are a UK-based period-care brand that make a range of period underwear. Most of their products are made of organic, natural materials and and they stock an inclusive range of sizes up to 6XL. They even offer a stretch range designed for teens with growing bodies!
Cheeky Pants are a British period care brand that provide a wide range of period underwear. Their pants are made of Oeko-tex certified synthetic materials, are ethically made and vegan. They also offer plus size pants available up to size 30.
Menstrual Cups
If you prefer internal period collection products or don’t feel comfortable wearing pads or period underwear, you could try a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups can hold up to 5 times more blood than towels and tampons, which makes them great for heavy flows!
- Works like a tampon to collect blood inside your body
- You can wear one to go swimming and for other forms of exercise!
- Made from Medical grade silicon, latex or TPE
- Cups come in various sizes so they are suitable for a range of flows
- Change every 4 to 12 hours
- One cup lasts several years and with proper care can last over a decade
- Rinse or wipe after emptying into the toilet, then reuse for your whole period. Sterilise with boiling water after each cycle.
- Available online or in some supermarkets, chemists and health food shops.
The average cost is between £9–£20. This works out on average at 7p – 17p per period, assuming you have 12 a year.
Worried about leaking?
Nothing to fear here! A scientific review published in the Lancet Public Health journal, which assessed 43 studies involving 3,300 women and girls, concluded that menstrual cups are just as reliable as tampons when it comes to leak prevention. Here are a couple of brands to look out for….
Hey Girls is a British period-care brand that make menstrual cups out of soft, medical grade silicone. One of the most affordable options out there, it also comes conveniently packed in a wash-bag made from recycled, ocean bound plastic!
The BeYou menstrual cup has been voted the best cup for beginners; designed for easy insertion and no leaks. Made from super-soft medical-grade silicone it protects the natural pH balance and can last up to 10 years.
Thinking about trying out a menstrual cup?
We’re having a giveaway of menstruation cups as part of the Clothes Swap on 3rd May at Railway Gardens!
This year we’re hosting a special eco period zone to help people make the switch to a plastic-free period. If you want to give plastic-free periods a go, come along to learn more and take home some free samples of items to try.
Want to learn more about plastic-free periods?
If you’d like to learn more about the impacts of plastic and how you can make your period plastic-free, you can watch the recording of our online workshop. In the session, we speak to Daisy from Plastic-Free Hackney about breaking taboos around discussing periods and learn more about the plastic-free options that are out there.
Ready to take further action?
While we each have power to make change through our individual choices, we can’t stop there if we want to really change the world. The Women’s Environmental Network Environmenstrual campaign is taking action to make healthy, eco-friendly period products available to all.
You can get involved by sending a letter to period-product manufacturers and asking them what they are doing to reduce the amount of plastic that is used in their products. WEN have provided a helpful template and a list of contact details to help make your voice heard!
