What are eco-friendly period products?

By: Emily Wu, NJ Director of Communications and Social Media

Disposable pads can take around 500 to 800 years in landfills before decomposing. Tampons can take up to 800 years in landfills before decomposing. Sounds pretty bad for the environment, doesn’t it? Fortunately, sustainable alternatives for feminine products have now become an option, offering benefits both to the environment and to your own body. 

To name a few, menstrual cups, period underwear, and reusable pads have been growing in popularity over the past few years. With the proper care, these products can last for years, compared to the daily disposal made from single-use menstrual products. That can reduce the amounts of waste in landfills over time, significantly cutting down the pollution in our world for the better.

Furthermore, reusable menstrual items do not utilize harmful fragrances, chemicals, and plastics. The materials typically used in these products are organic and avoid plastics. For instance, eco-friendly products may use organic cotton, bamboo fiber, and organic hemp. They are safe and do not pose unnecessary risks to your body.

Eco-friendly products offer a long-term solution to the waste generated from disposable products, but they may not be a good fit for everyone. Whether you choose disposable, reusable, or a combination of both, understanding the materials and impact in each product can help you to make the best decision that fits your needs. 

So how do you use these products?

Menstrual cups:

Menstrual cups are typically made of medical-grade silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, allowing them to easily bend and mold into smaller shapes. That makes it easy to insert and take out. 

Always, before inserting, make sure your hands are clean by washing them with soap and water. Then, take the menstrual cup and fold the cup tightly. Gently insert the cup into the vagina by angling it towards the tailbone, not straight up. Once inserted, release the cup and let it pop open. Depending on your flow, the cup can stay in for a maximum of 12 hours before you need to remove it. 

When removing, make sure your hands are clean by washing them with soap and water. After, pinch the base of the cup, not the stem, and gently pull out the cup while wiggling it side-to-side. Be careful not to spill any of the contents out and try to keep the cup upright during this process. 

Once the cup is out, you can either dump the contents into the toilet or the sink. In order to keep the cup reusable, wash it with water and unscented soap and place it back into its reusable pouch. 

Brands: Many well known brands for menstrual cups include DivaCup, Saalt, Lunette, and Lena. These brands offer a variety of cups in order to suit your cycle and needs. However, many additional brands exist as well and offer great products, so it’s always a good idea to do some research to find the product and brand that fits you best. 

Period underwear:

Period underwear is just like regular underwear – except for the fact that it can absorb blood! When purchasing period underwear, pick the right type based on your flow. Period underwear comes in different absorbency levels like light, medium, and heavy, and they also come in various styles like bikini, hipster, and boyshort. Choosing the right period underwear is essential in order to make sure it matches your cycle and comfort. 

When wearing, period underwear is just like any other underwear. You simply put them on like how you would for normal underwear. Depending on your flow and the absorbency level of the underwear, you typically change the underwear out every 8-12 hours. However, sometimes on days with heavier flow, it becomes necessary to change the underwear out midday as well. 

In order to reuse your period underwear, make sure that you rinse them in cold water as soon as you take them off. That ensures that most of the blood will come out. Then, you can place them in the washing machine with cold water and gentle detergent. Make sure to air dry your period underwear instead of using the dryer, as dryers can actually damage the absorbent layers!

Just like that, your underwear is ready to be reused again. 

Brands: Some notable brands for period underwear include Thinx, Modibodi, Knix, and Cora. These brands offer various sizes and absorbency levels intended to fit your needs. However, many additional brands exist as well and offer great products, so it’s always a good idea to do some research to find the product and brand that fits you best. 

Reusable pads:

Reusable pads are a lot like disposable pads, but they can be cleaned and used again. When using reusable pads, most come with wings that can wrap around your underwear using buttons or snaps. Place the pad soft side up and simply clip them in, and you're ready to go!

Typically, these pads can last you anywhere from 4-6 hours, but it always depends on your flow and the absorbency level of the pad. When going out, make sure to carry a wet bag with you so that you have a safe space to store your used pads. Always carry a spare as well in case anything happens. 

When cleaning, make sure to rinse with cold water to prevent any stains. You can also soak them in water with detergent if you’d like. Then, use a washing machine to clean the pads with cold water and gentle detergent. It’s suggested to air dry the reusable pads, but some can be placed in the dryer. It’s best to check the brand's instructions before using a dryer. 

Once your pads are dry, store them in a drawer. They are ready to be used again!

Brands: Great brands for reusable pads include Rael, Aisle, DAME, and Ruby Love. These brands offer reusable pads at any size and absorbency level, targeted to fit your needs. However, many additional brands exist as well and offer great products, so it’s always a good idea to do some research to find the product and brand that fits you best.