Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic-Infused Sanitary Pads and Tampons You Need to Check Out RN!

While India continues to fight its battle with period poverty (the dearth of access to menstrual education and sanitary products), the latest National Family Health Survey-5 report released recently states that around 64 per cent of women aged 15-24 use single-use plastic sanitary napkins, while almost 50 per cent use cloth during for their menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Only 15 per cent use locally prepared sanitary napkins and a mere 0.3 per cent use menstrual cups.

Why the Need to Switch?

It is interesting to note that inclusivity has been completely ignored in this report, as not all menstruators are women. But the more pertinent question one can ponder over is the lack of awareness on greener substitutes to the conventional, mass-produced sanitary pads and tampons. The disposal of these products continues to add to the already existing concerns of waste management in India. A 2019 study by environmental group Toxics Link stated that about 113,000 tonnes of used sanitary pads are dumped in landfills in India every year. They continue to pile up in landfills, taking around 500-800 years to fully disintegrate, and cause blockages in the sewage systems and water bodies.

“On a wider and more generalised scale, the waste management problem needs to be tackled at the source via proper segregation. Our waste management system currently collects waste, which is then dumped hazardously within or outside city limits. Systematic waste segregation would ensure that the waste is processed in different tributaries of recycling and recovery facilities, depending on which category it belongs to,” says Anika Parashar, Founder and CEO, The Woman's Company, a Delhi-based, conscious intimate wellness and hygiene brand headed by women for everyone.

The questions regarding proper disposal of menstrual hygiene products containing plastic are pertinent, as most single-use sanitary pads contain super-absorbent polymers (SAP). They gradually break down into microplastics, which then go on to contaminate soil, water, and air, and also enter as toxins into human and animal food chains.

 

(L-R) Anika Parashar, Founder and CEO, The Woman's Company; Vikas Bagaria, Founder of Pee Safe; Devidutta Dash, Founder and CEO of Lemme Be

 

Challenges Facing Sustainable MHM

“One of the biggest challenges in context of MHM in India is the lack of sustainable and inclusive products. The use of conventional plastic-infused sanitary pads has been so common that many continue using these pads despite suffering from skin irritation or rashes. People rarely opt for unconventional period-care products,” says Devidutta Dash, Founder and CEO of Lemme Be, a homegrown period-care and menstrual hygiene brand. “Sustainable menstrual hygiene management is all about safe and thoughtful menstrual habits that do not impact your health or the environment negatively. Hence, currently, we are on a quest to continuously evolve our ‘Z’ range products that include the menstrual cup, disc, and period underwear. These sustainable products have been designed in various sizes to fit both teen and adult menstruators.”

Vikas Bagaria, Founder of Pee Safe, one of the oldest personal wellness and hygiene brands in India shares, “Making safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products available to all women will require a collective effort by all, including government bodies, brands, and the citizens. Switching to sustainable period products is a simple way for an individual to contribute to better MHM at the community level. At Pee Safe, we strive towards this common goal and help people make greener choices. Our sustainable period-care range includes reusable menstrual cups, discs, sanitary pads, 100% organic cotton biodegradable pads, and tampons.”

 

So, here are a few options you can explore to manage your menstrual hygiene without feeling the guilt of burdening the planet or compromising on comfort or care:

Menstrual Cups: These super soft and reusable cups made with medical-grade silicone do not cause any dampness or leakage, and keep you rash-free. Safe for wearing up to 10 hours, there are a tonne of brands offering their version of the menstrual cup in a range of shapes and sizes for optimal comfort, some with even advanced features like anti-slip grip and rim holes to prevent vacuum.

Menstrual cup, Sanfe; menstrual cup for women with integrated pull-out ring, Azah; menstrual cup, Plush; menstrual cup and wash, Sirona

 

Cloth Pads: Many experts envision cloth pads as the natural successor for menstrual hygiene management in rural India, where they can replace the scraps of cloth that women have traditionally been using. Cloth pads can undoubtedly make for a greener alternative, provided they are washed thoroughly, dried in the sun for proper disinfection, and stored in dry and sterile spaces.

Cloth sanitary pads in XL, large, medium with mini bag, Bumpadum; Full Cycle Kit in Vibrant, Eco Femme

 

Period Underwear: Giving you freedom from wings and strings, period underwear or panties offer fuss-free comfort as compared to sanitary pads and tampons, sans the fear of leakage due to displacement. Usually made with skin-friendly and antibacterial material, this highly-absorbent innerwear can also double up as your gym buddy to keep sweat patches at bay and keep odour in check. 

Women AIRism Absorbent Sanitary Shorts, Uniqlo; Z Drip Max: Re-usable Period Underwear, Lemme Be

 

Biodegradable Pads: Created from solely plant-sourced fibres from the likes of banana, bamboo, organic cotton, and corn, biodegradable sanitary pads will enable you to adapt to a greener lifestyle much more easily in case you have been a dedicated single-use, plastic pad user. These single-use pads are kind on your skin as well as the planet and are free from harmful chemicals and toxins, which are often present in their conventional counterparts.   

Banana Fiber Sanitary Pads, Saathi; Eco-conscious Sanitary Pads, Carmesi; XL compostable pads, Anandi