Menstrual Products

Eco friendly menstrual products: what you need to know

Why should you switch to environmentally friendly pads and tampons?

Australian women go through a staggering 800 million sanitary products every year and most ends up in landfill. With conventionally produced sanitary pads and tampons taking between 500 and 800 years to biodegrade, it’s obvious we need to make some changes. Using eco friendly menstrual products is a better solution for the sake of the planet and our health.

Sanitary pads, in particular, are made from... Read More

Eco friendly menstrual products: what you need to know

Why should you switch to environmentally friendly pads and tampons?

Australian women go through a staggering 800 million sanitary products every year and most ends up in landfill. With conventionally produced sanitary pads and tampons taking between 500 and 800 years to biodegrade, it’s obvious we need to make some changes. Using eco friendly menstrual products is a better solution for the sake of the planet and our health.

Sanitary pads, in particular, are made from a combination of bleached rayon, plastic and cotton and are usually wrapped in plastic. Opting for organic environmentally friendly pads which are hypoallergenic, free from chlorine and dioxin bleach and 100% biodegradable is a smart choice.

Why choose organic cotton tampons?

A woman uses about 12,000 tampons in her lifetime, so the environmental benefits of using organic cotton tampons are obvious. Unlike conventional tampons, which are usually made from a mixture of bleached cotton and chemically-produced rayon, you can throw your organic cotton tampons in your home composting system. Plastic-free packaging is another winner.

There are health benefits of using organic tampons, too. Conventional tampons may contain toxicants, such as the herbicide glyphosate, pesticides, bleaches and synthetic materials. Some health professionals worry about the risks of using them in one of the most delicate parts of your body.

A word of warning: organic tampons do not remove the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Research has shown TSS is a bacterial issue, the risk of which increases when you wear tampons for longer than recommended.

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a flexible, funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that collects period blood. A reusable menstrual cup can last from six months to 10 years with proper care. Menstrual cups can be one of the most eco friendly menstrual products - good for the environment and your budget.

How menstrual cups work: when folded in half and inserted into the vagina, they spring open to form an airtight seal that stops leaks. You can wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, depending on the heaviness of flow.