Posted on Categories:Periods, Products

Plastic Free Periods for Plastic Free July

It’s Plastic Free July and it’s time our periods are no longer a burden on the environment.  Did you know that many mainstream brands of pads contain plastic, which means they take 500 years or more to break down.  A recent study has found that some mainstream brands of pads contain 2.4g of plastic per pad and 36g of plastic per pack of pads.  That’s up to 5 plastic carry bags per pack, and does not include the packaging.*

We can do so much better than that, and thankfully we now have options to have completely plastic free periods.  Here’s my favourite products that contain no plastic in their products.  I also consider whether they contain dioxins and other chemicals, which can affect our bodies and the environment.

 

DISPOSABLE PADS

LOVE LUNA – Biodegradable organic bamboo pads

TSUNO – Bamboo pads

TOM ORGANIC – Biodegradable organic pads

BAMBOO BABE – Biodegradable and compostable organic bamboo pads

 

REUSABLE PADS

HANNAHPAD – Certified organic cotton and compostable reusable pad

YONI PLEASURE PALACE  – “See My blood” Organic reusable pads

 

PERIOD UNDERWEAR

Not all period underwear are created equal.  Period underwear is such a great addition to the sustainable options for periods, but recently it was found that some brands contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs).  PFA’s are a class of toxic chemicals linked to significant health impacts like cancer, reproductive problems, and endocrine disruption. They also do not easily degrade in the environment or in the body and can accumulate over time.  The following brands do not contain any PFA’s

MODIBODI – Organic cotton or bamboo and spandex

LOVE LUNA – Cotton/Elastine and Bamboo.  Coming soon here  🙂

 

MENSTRUAL CUPS

TOM ORGANIC – 100% medical grade silicon with Medical grade recyclable green plastic steriliser case

PELVICUP – 100% Certified Medical Grade Silicone

HELLO CUP – medical-grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). They are hypoallergenic and free of BPAs, silicone, rubber and latex.

MOONCUP – 100% medical grade silicon

 

References

https://www.natracare.com/blog/pack-of-pads-contains-as-much-plastic-as-five-carrier-bags/#:~:text=New%20study%20has%20found%20that,more%20plastic%20than%20previously%20thought.

https://edu.rsc.org/feature/single-use-plastic-in-period-products/4013167.article

https://bettergoods.org/best-period-underwear/#:~:text=The%20testing%2C%20which%20took%20place,reproductive%20problems%2C%20and%20endocrine%20disruption.