There are now loads of ways to have plastic free periods! But are you willing to give them a try?
By Lora O’Brien
Ladies, the patriarchy has taken over our periods! I mean, seriously – tons of plastic and cardboard packaging, plastic applicators and loads of chemicals in stuff that literally goes into one of the most sensitive areas of our bodies – would a woman have dreamt that up? (Well actually, yes – the inventor of the OB tampon was a woman, but I digress).
The fact is that our periods are damaging not only the planet, but our own health, too. The average female goes through 12,000 sanitary items in her lifetime, which pile into landfill that pollute our soil and water, or get burned in incinerators, causing air pollution. And we absorb all the toxic bleach, pesticides, fragrances and other nasty chemicals contained by most menstrual products right into our bloodstreams every time we use them. It’s time to take the power over bodies back!
Luckily for us, the market is catering to those wanting to green up their period, and there’s a plethora of safe, non-toxic, environmentally friendly and plastic free period products out there today.
From silicone cups to reusable sanitary pads, here are 5 ways to have greener, plastic free periods every month.
5 Ways To Have Plastic Free Periods
1. Reusable Sanitary Pads
Looking to keep your period plastic free, and healthy for your bod and the planet? Reusable pads are a great option, as you just wash, dry and reuse them every month. Gladrags and Lunapads are two popular brands that are both pretty to look at, but you know what? Given the info I’ve read recently about toxic fashion, I’m not so sure I trust their fabrics and dyes. I’d suggest going for the super-green option: that is, organic cotton or bamboo pads, instead.
One brand I’ve tried and trust is Hesta – they make pads in all kinds of sizes and absorbencies, and they’re easy to use, thanks to little snaps that shut around your undies, and when you’re done, just pop them in the wash with your usual laundry. No plastic packaging is needed, no perfumes are added and they allow your lady parts to breathe naturally.
Best bit: Soft, sustainable and easy to use.
Worst bit: For each cycle, they recommend you’ll need at least 6 day pads, 1 night pad and 3 panty liners, so you’ll need to stock up.
Price: Around $39 for a pack of 3.
2. Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups have recently become one of the most popular ways to have plastic free periods. They are a great alternative to mainstream period products such as tampons and pads, but they can take some getting used to. You put it in like a tampon, more or less, and the little plastic-and-dye-free silicone cup collects (rather than absorbs) your menstrual flow.
Brands such as AllMatters offer up to 12 hours of leak-free protection, but this all depends on the size – if you’re over 30 or have had kids, this may not stay in place all that well. Luckily, these do come in different sizes, though – just be sure you get the right one for you.
Best bit: Small and easily re-used.
Worst bit: Kinda nasty to clean out, and they may leak a bit if not the proper fit.
Price: Around $25.
3. Period Panties
It came as a surprise to discover that there are just about as many kinds of period panties as there are underwear! Bikini cut, French cut, cotton, Spandex, you name it. Basically, these are undies that help you have plastic free periods with a built in pad that you need to wash every day.
Be careful what you buy, though – some are meant to help absorb only a little liquid and act as a backup to your menstrual or sponge on heavier days, whilst others are more heavy duty and can take pretty much whatever you throw at them. If you’re super in to working out, never fear: these athletic leakproof panties from Knix can even absorb up to 3 tsp (2 tampons) of leaks!
Another brand we know and love is Wuka which bills itself at being the world’s most comfortable, hygienic, luxurious and eco-friendly period underwear. You can wear your panties up to 8 hours on light days, 4-6 hours on your heavy days or all night. These panties come in heavy hold (20ml flow) or light hold (5-7ml).
Best bit: Super easy to use! Just slip them on.
Worst bit: Again, you’ll need to buy more than 1 pair, as they take time to dry.
Price: $14-$25
4. Menstrual Sponges
If you want to get all Paleo about plastic free periods, you’ll be happy to know that these brainless, spineless sea sponge creatures have been used by women pretty much since the beginning of time to help their flow from making a public statement. This is about as natural as it gets, and of course, they’re 100% reusable and renewable. All you have do is wash it out before you pop it in. Sounds easy….but getting it out may be anything but. Why is there no string on these things?
On the plus side, these are one-size-fits-all products, and quite honestly, you won’t feel it in there at all. They’re so flexible and spongy, you can carry on as usual with virtually any activity and not know it’s there – and that includes sex.
When the sponge has come to the end of its useful life, (which is probably a very, very long time), just pop it in the compost. These give a whole new meaning to Spongepants Bob living in Bikini Bottom….
Best bit: You can wear these when you have sex – plus they’re very eco friendly.
Worst bit: Not easy to get out, not really really vegan friendly.
Price: Around $25 but you just need to buy it once.
5. Eco Tampons
It’s a scary fact that most mainstream tampon brands are loaded with so many chemicals like bleach, dioxins, perfumes, pesticides and fertilisers (from when the cotton was grown) that you can actually get Toxic Shock Syndrome if you leave a tampon in too long. And that white colour? When you consider a woman can use between 11-12,000 tampons over a lifetime, that’s around 6-7 years of intimate exposure to harsh chemicals – not to mention a whole pile of nasty, toxic rubbish. And did I mention that you’re exposed to the same chemicals if you use sanitary pads? And that both tampon applicators and sanitary pads use tons of plastic?
You can see why plastic free periods are important!
Luckily, there are a few brands now creating sanitary pads and napkins from organic cotton. For example, Freda makes organic, biodegradable tampons and sanitary pads without chlorine, synthetic, or oil-based pesticides. If you’re not into hitting the drugstore to buy your menstrual products every month, they also offer a door-to-door subscription service.
Other alternatives include Cora organic cotton tampons and Lola organic cotton tampons.
Best bit: Easy to use, super convenient.
Worst bit: The tampons and cotton pads may be biodegradable, there are definitely more eco-friendly options considering the plastic applicators and packaging are not yet environmentally friendly. It’s also a pretty pricey option.
Cost: From £6.99 a month for Freda; $15 for a pack of 18 Cora tampons
Do you know of any other ways to have plastic free periods? Let us know in the comments, below!
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