The Environmental Impact of Periods and How to Make Sustainable Choices
Periods, your monthly visitor, the crimson tide… Whatever you call it, menstruation is a natural experience shared by billions across the globe. But with so many people binning pads and tossing tampons, have you ever paused to ponder the environmental impact of periods?
With the typical menstruator using 11,000 to 15,000 pads and tampons in their lifetime, disposable period products are responsible for a staggering amount of waste. And, as most traditional products contain plastic, it’s the kind of waste that sticks around in landfills and the ocean for hundreds (and hundreds) of years.
However, there is some good news! The tide is turning in the period care industry, with savvy consumers demanding more sustainable choices and eco-conscious companies like us rising to the challenge.
To learn how to make more planet-friendly choices for your period – without sacrificing comfort or convenience – read on.
Disposable menstrual products: a growing environmental concern.
Disposable menstrual products such as pads and tampons are the go-to for most women due to convenience. However, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of waste generated from menstrual products each year, their environmental impact can't be ignored.
Typically containing plastics and synthetics, these single-use products can take 500-800 years to decompose. And when carelessly disposed of (why are you still flushing?!), they contribute to the mounting problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and landfills.
When plastic-based period products end up in our oceans, they pose a dire threat to marine life. The plastics in these products also break down into microplastics, further contaminating the water and entering our food chain.
What are the eco-friendly alternatives?
Thankfully, there are a growing number of reusable eco-friendly products that can keep you feeling fresh and comfortable during your period. (And, let’s face it, probably a little smug.)
Menstrual cups are reusable medical grade silicone or TPE cups that are inserted to collect your menstrual flow – and then emptied and reused. Lasting 3 to 5 years, they’re a comfortable and cost-effective way to minimise your carbon footprint.
Reusable cloth pads
If you pack a canvas tote for the grocery store but use conventional pads, chew on this – each pack you go through contains the equivalent of 5 plastic bags. Cloth pads, on the other hand, are made from absorbent and breathable fabrics such as organic cotton or bamboo. They can be washed and reused, making them a sustainable alternative to disposable pads.
Period undies are designed with built-in, blood-absorbing layers. They’re reusable, comfortable and a good option for those seeking convenience and sustainability. Just pop them in the wash and reuse them like your regular knickers.
Eco-friendly disposable products are also available.
If you prefer disposable options, that’s totally fine. Plastic-free organic period care products are increasingly popular and provide a healthier and more natural choice – for you and the planet.
Organic pads and tampons
Most tampons are made from synthetics like rayon and viscose and contain bleaches and dyes. Organic tampons, pads and liners are menstrual products made from organic and natural materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo or plant-based fibres. Unlike conventional products, they’re free from toxic chemicals, pesticides and synthetic fragrances.
Produced via sustainable farming practices that minimise the use of water and energy, organic options are better for the environment. What’s more, they’re gentler on your intimate parts as they don't contain harsh chemicals that can cause irritation or allergies.
However, beware of greenwashing, as many ‘organic cotton’ period products still contain plastic – but not ours! Biodegradable and 100% plastic-free, Oi disposable period pads and tampons break down naturally in around 5 years under the right conditions. Made with non-toxic certified organic cotton, they’re gentle on your body and the environment.
Bin it, don’t flush it! How to properly dispose of period products.
If you are using disposable products, wrap them in toilet paper or a biodegradable bag before disposing of them in the garbage bin. Avoid flushing them down the toilet at all costs, as they can clog sewage systems and contribute to pollution.
Be an agent for positive change. Period.
While it's tempting to go with the flow and stick with what you know, switching to eco-friendly disposable products or reusable alternatives is an easy way to minimise our ecological footprint. So, let's come together and turn the tide on period waste!
Mzunguko wa Mwezi: Mzunguko wa Mwezi, Mgeni wako wa Kila Mwezi, Mtiririko wa Crimson: Kwa vyovyote vile unavyouita, Mzunguko wa Mwezi ni uzoefu wa asili unaoshirikiwa na mabilioni duniani kote. Lakini kwa kuwa watu wengi sana hutumia vipodozi na tamponi, je, umewahi kufikiria athari za hedhi kwa mazingira? Kwa kawaida, mwanamke hutumia vipodozi vya kudhibiti na tamponi 11,000 hadi 15,000 katika maisha yake, na bidhaa za kudhibiti ni muhimu kwa kuondoa uchafu. Na, kama bidhaa nyingi za jadi zina plastiki, ni aina ya taka ambayo inashikilia karibu katika majumba ya taka na bahari kwa mamia (na mamia) ya miaka. Hata hivyo, kuna habari njema! Mzunguko unageuka katika tasnia ya utunzaji wa kipindi, na watumiaji wenye busara wanadai chaguzi endelevu zaidi na kampuni za mazingira kama sisi zinainuka kwa changamoto. Ili kujifunza jinsi ya kufanya uchaguzi zaidi wa kirafiki wa sayari kwa kipindi chako <unk> bila kutoa sadaka ya starehe au urahisi <unk> soma zaidi. Bidhaa za kawaida za kuondoa hedhi: wasiwasi unaoongezeka wa mazingira. Bidhaa za kawaida za kuondoa hedhi kama vile pads na tampons ni go-to kwa wanawake wengi kwa sababu ya urahisi. Hata hivyo, kwa takriban tani 200,000 za taka zinazozalishwa kutoka kwa bidhaa za hedhi kila mwaka, athari zao za mazingira haziwezi kupuuzwa. Kwa kawaida, bidhaa hizi za matumizi moja zinaweza kuchukua miaka 500 hadi 800 kuharibika. Na unapotupwa bila kujali (kwa nini bado unafyonza?! Kwa hivyo, kwa sababu ya hali hii, kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuongezeka kwa uchafuzi wa plastiki katika bahari na mahali pa kuondoa taka. Wakati bidhaa za plastiki zinapoishia baharini, zinaathiri sana uhai wa baharini. Plastiki katika bidhaa hizi pia huvunjika kuwa microplastics, kuchafua zaidi maji na kuingia kwenye mlolongo wetu wa chakula. Ni mbadala gani zinazofaa mazingira? Kwa bahati nzuri, kuna bidhaa nyingi za mazingira ambazo zinaweza kukufanya uhisi vizuri wakati wa hedhi. (Na, hebu kukabiliana na hilo, pengine kidogo smug.) Kikombe cha hedhi ni kikombe cha silicone au TPE cha matibabu kinachoweza kutumiwa tena ambacho huingizwa kukusanya mtiririko wako wa hedhi na kisha hutolewa na kutumiwa tena. Kwa miaka mitatu hadi mitano, ni njia ya kufurahisha na ya gharama nafuu ya kupunguza alama yako ya kaboni. Kwa mfano, ikiwa unashughulikia kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa cha kitambaa. Kwa upande mwingine, vifuniko vya kitambaa hutengenezwa kwa vitambaa vinavyoweza kunyonya na kuvumilia hewa kama vile pamba au mianzi ya kikaboni. Zinaweza kuoshwa na kutumiwa tena, na hivyo kuwa mbadala endelevu wa vitambaa vya kutumiwa mara moja. Mavazi ya ndani ya kiume ya kiume yamebuniwa kwa tabaka zilizojengwa ndani, zinazoweza kunyonya damu. Wao ni reusable, starehe na chaguo nzuri kwa wale kutafuta urahisi na uendelevu. Tu pop yao katika kuosha na kutumia tena yao kama suruali yako ya kawaida. Bidhaa za kutumiwa mara moja ambazo haziharibu mazingira zinapatikana pia. Kama wewe kupendelea chaguzi disposable, kwamba ni kabisa faini. Bidhaa za matibabu ya kienyeji zisizo na plastiki zinazidi kupendwa na hutoa chaguo la afya na la asili zaidi kwako na sayari. Vipodozi vya asili na tamponi - Vipodozi vingi vya asili na tamponi hutengenezwa kutoka kwa nyenzo za synthetic kama vile rayon na viscose na zina bleaches na rangi. Vifuniko vya kawaida vya hedhi, kama vile tamponi, ni bidhaa za kawaida za hedhi zilizotengenezwa kwa nyenzo za asili kama vile pamba, nyuzi za mimea, na nyuzi za mimea. Tofauti na bidhaa za kawaida, hazina kemikali zenye sumu, dawa za kuua wadudu na manukato ya synthetic. Kwa sababu ya mbinu za kilimo endelevu ambazo zinapunguza matumizi ya maji na nishati, chaguzi za kikaboni ni bora kwa mazingira. Zaidi ya hayo, wao ni laini juu ya sehemu yako intimate kama wao hawana kemikali kali ambayo inaweza kusababisha irritation au mzio. Hata hivyo, tahadhari ya greenwashing, kama wengi "organic pamba" kipindi bidhaa bado vyenye plastiki <unk> lakini si yetu! Ni biodegradable na 100% plastiki-free, Oi disposable kipindi pads na tampons kuvunjika asili katika miaka 5 chini ya hali sahihi. Zimetengenezwa kwa pamba ya kikaboni isiyo na sumu, ni laini kwa mwili wako na mazingira. Tupa, usitupe maji! Jinsi ya kuondoa vizuri bidhaa za kipindi. Ikiwa unatumia bidhaa za kutupwa, weka ndani ya karatasi ya choo au mfuko wa biodegradable kabla ya kuzitupa kwenye chombo cha taka. Acha kuondoa maji ya choo kwa gharama yoyote, kwa kuwa yanaweza kuziba mifumo ya maji machafu na kuchangia uchafuzi. Kuwa kichocheo cha mabadiliko mazuri. Kipindi. Ingawa ni kuvutia kwenda na mtiririko na kushikamana na unachojua, kubadili bidhaa za kutumiwa mara moja au mbadala zinazoweza kutumiwa tena ni njia rahisi ya kupunguza alama yetu ya ikolojia. Kwa hiyo, hebu tujiunge pamoja na kubadilisha hali ya kupoteza vipindi vya ujauzito!