The Environmental Impact of Period Products: Why Choosing Reusable is Key

For billions around the world, menstruation is a natural part of life. However, this means that enormous amounts of period products are disposed of each year. The environmental concerns regarding disposable period products are often overlooked. Traditional period products, such as tampons and pads, produce immense waste, require a lot of energy to be made, and contribute to pollution. Switching to alternative period products can drastically reduce these environmental harms.

The Problem With Disposable Period Products

Most traditional period products like pads and tampons contain plastics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, posing a threat to our earth. An estimated 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are disposed of each year, with a majority of these products ending up in landfills and oceans. Furthermore, it takes mass amounts of energy, water, and raw materials to produce these products, contributing further to their environmental harm. However that's not all, many disposable period products contain harmful fragrances and chemicals which can hurt human health and leach into water systems, damaging ecosystems.

Reusable Alternatives 

Switching from disposable to reusable period products is an easy way to cut down on one's environmental impact. Many popular options are listed below:

• Menstrual Cups: With proper care, menstrual cups, made from medical-grade silicone,  can last up to 10 years! They eliminate the need for thousands of disposable products and can provide a lot of cost savings!

• Reusable Cloth Pads: These products are washable and long lasting, promoting a greener and simple alternative to disposable products.

• Period Underwear: Period underwear offers the relief of not using additional products. They are designed to absorb menstrual flow and are a convenient and sustainable option.

• Reusable Tampon Applicators: Still prefer using tampons? Reusable tampon applicators allow you to keep the convenience of tampons, while reducing your plastic waste!

The Benefits of Making the Switch

Aside from solely minimizing environmental damage, making the switch to reusable period products can have many positive effects. 

• Cost savings: Although the initial price may be higher, reusable period products save money in the long term because they minimize the need to repurchase products. Making the switch can be beneficial to the environment and your wallet!

• Health Benefits: Switching to reusable products typically rids individuals from the harmful fragrances and chemicals in disposable period products. In return, this reduces the risk of irritation and allergic reactions.

• Convenience: The use of reusable period products means that individuals don’t have to repeatedly go to the store for period products. With proper care, reusable products can last years.

Taking Action

Transitioning towards reusable period products is a quick and easy step towards a greener future for all. Be a powerful change and help reduce pollution, conserve resources, and promote a cleaner planet! Whether it be by starting small with one product, or fully embracing reusables, every effort makes a difference towards a more eco-friendly planet. Moreover, it has a lot of benefits for individuals' personal lives. Let’s strive to make periods greener and kinder to the environment!