How To Have A More Eco-Friendly Period Each Month

For those of us who spend our hard earned cash on buying sanitary products each month, we know it’s not cheap. But, have you also considered the impact these products have on the environment too?

Whatever period products you buy, you should never feel guilty about something that is a necessity. So, while we are going to take a look at how you can have an eco-friendly period, take these suggestions and investigate for yourself to decide on your own terms whether or not they are suitable for you.

Here we’ll look at some of the most popular emerging trends in eco-friendly period products such as period pants, menstrual cups and reusable pads and tampons.

Eco-Friendly Period Products

Period Pants

Period-proof pants are on the rise. Innovative brands including Wuka, THINX and Modi Bodi have come up with 100% absorbent underwear that are comfortable, moisture-wicking and stylish. The pants really are super absorbent, so you can wear them in the confidence that they won’t leak. You can wear period pants all day if they’re the right level of absorbency for what you need. There’s plenty of different styles available too.

Period pants are a great way to cut down on plastic waste created from single-use period products and will save you money in the long term, as you can just wash and re-wear the pants every time you need them.

If you’re still on the fence, then this Glamour magazine article answers a lot of frequently asked questions and they recommend their favourite period pants.

Menstrual Cups

Just like period pants, menstrual cups have entered the mainstream. Again, the reasons for their growing popularity are that they are sustainable and better for your wallet over time. A menstrual cup can be easily inserted and used for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. They are also safe to wear at night, are reusable and are completely recyclable too.

We’re pleased to say that we now stock the Ruby Cup right here.

Reusable Tampon Applicators

Another option you can choose to have a greener period, while also opting for a convenient method, is to buy a reusable tampon applicator. A tampon applicator makes life simple for many women who prefer using tampons and you can use it every time you change your tampon. 

Dame, a forward-thinking sustainable period products company, created a ‘world first’ product with their award-winning hygienic tampon applicator. The applicator is medical grade, antimicrobial, made from self-sterilising Mediprene and last for over 3,000 uses. Plus, their products come in reused and recycled materials.

Additionally, retailers including Superdrug, Sainsbury’s and Aldi are removing plastic applicators from their own-brand tampons. By doing so, they will save a combined 17 tonnes of plastic per year.

Organic Tampons

It may come as a surprise to you that many everyday tampons contain chemicals and perfumes as well as plastic materials that aren’t great for the environment or your body. That’s why organic tampons are a great alternative. 

Brands like Yoni and My Freda make organic cotton, chemical-free tampons and pads and also offer a subscription service every month. That way you don’t have to worry about getting caught short, you’ll get the products delivered straight to your door.

Reusable pads

As you’ve probably come to expect now, if there’s reusable period pants then you can be sure that there’s a great choice of reusable period pads too.

Bloom & Nora offer a diverse range of reusable, chemical-free sanitary towels in both natural bamboo and bright, stain-repellent white colourways. 

Bloom & Nora have also partnered with the Department for Education to supply schools across the UK with free reusable pads. Thanks to their amazing work they are putting an end to period poverty and raising awareness of the plastic waste created by single use period products.

Often with sustainable products you may feel put off by the fact that they initially seem more expensive. However, when you consider price per use, they end up being more affordable in the long run. So, why not give some of these products a try and see what works best for you and your body? It could be the change you need both for helping the environment and saving yourself some money.