Menstrual products are essential for women globally. They are typically used by women between the ages of 12 and 51, once a month, as they experience menstrual cycles that vary in length and flow intensity. Despite this, many of the most common menstrual products are extremely harmful to the environment. It is estimated that a year’s worth of typical menstrual products has a carbon footprint of 5.3kg CO2 equivalent.
Here are some eco-friendly alternatives and brands to turn to instead:
Menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are small, flexible cups that are inserted into the vagina. They’re easy to use once you get the hang of it. Instead of absorbing your flow, they collect it. One major benefit is that they can hold blood for up to 12 hours before needing to be emptied. After removal, the cup should be washed out and can be reused. Prices range from £8 to £40 and on average, it’s advised to replace a menstrual cup once a year. However, this may differ depending on the brand and product you choose.
Reusable fabric period pads
Fabric pads work similarly to other sanitary pads – only they’re reusable! You wear them for a similar amount of time as you’d wear any other sanitary pad and change them just as often. In some cases, you can also purchase specific ones designed for your flow type. When it’s time to wash them, the process for most fabric pads involves pre-rinsing, followed by hand washing or machine washing on a 40-degree cycle. Afterward, they need to be dried – air drying is the method most brands recommend.
If kept in good condition, fabric pads can last for up to four years, depending on the brand. On average, fabric period pads cost between £3 and 30.
Period pants are underwear with a special lining that works similarly to fabric period pads, absorbing menstrual blood. Depending on where you purchase them, they can be totally leakproof and odour-free. Most brands recommend changing them as often as you’d change a period pad, or every 4 to 6 hours. Some brands’ period pants can last for up to two years before needing to be replaced!
They also need to be cleaned in a similar way to fabric pads – rinsed first and then either hand-washed or machine-washed. Depending on where you purchase them, you can also buy specific ones designed for heavier flows or overnight use. On average, they cost between £9 and £30.
Fluus
Launched in 2023, Fluus is a brand of sanitary pads that are biodegradable and flushable. Their pads are made from plant fibres and the adhesive is derived from tree sap. They have been featured in Women’s Health and Cosmopolitan. A pack of 12 medium Fluus pads costs £6 and the company also offers a monthly subscription plan.
Here We Flo
Female-founded brand Here We Flo was launched in 2017. They sell a range of period products, such as tampons, pads, and period pants, made from materials like organic Eco-Tex bamboo and natural cotton. They also claim to have carbon-neutral goals and partner with charities to give back to people and the planet. Their products are stocked in common drugstores in the UK, such as Boots. The price ranges from £2.62 to £20.
Hey Girls
Female-founded Hey Girls launched in 2018 in the UK and since then, they have donated over 30 million period products across the country. They work with 300 partners in the UK, such as food banks, charities, and shelters, to ensure that free period products are available to those in need. They are the only social enterprise that donates 100% of their profits to fighting period poverty in the UK. They also received recognition at COP26.
Their products are made from a range of materials, such as organic cotton and sustainable bamboo. The product range includes period cups, fabric pads, tampons, and period pants. Prices range from around £3 to £75 ( for a bulk pack).
Wuka
The brand Wuka was established in 2017 and claims to have created the UK’s first reusable and leak-proof period pants. Their products are made from organic cotton and sustainable beech wood. Their period pants can be worn for up to 12 hours and last for up to 2 years. They offer period pants and swimwear alternatives designed for menstruation. Moreover, they sell specific pants for people with heavier flows and overnight use. Their products range in price from around £9 to £62.
This article is part of our newest Climate Change series, Women for Climate. To read more inspiring stories of everyday women making a real difference in the world, be sure to check out the latest edition of Wempower magazine, or listen to our podcast.
