How to have a Sustainable Period

In the UK, girls, women, and people who menstruate produce 28,114 tonnes of waste per year from period products and applicators.(1) Until recently, menstrual products just weren’t manufactured with the planet in mind, as “women’s health” is often relegated to the back seat when it comes to progress… Predominantly single-use, and containing heaps of plastic, harmful chemicals & dyes, tampons and pads have historically had a lot to answer for. Periods are challenging enough as they are, so why not take something off your mind by removing their negative environmental impact. For a greener time of the month, try these ways to have a more eco-friendly period.

What does it mean to have a sustainable period?

Having an eco-friendly period simply means making an active effort to reduce the amount of waste created during your cycle. This means being conscious of which menstrual products you buy, and importantly how you are disposing of them, as it's estimated that 2.5 million tampons, 1.4 million pads and 700,000 pantyliners are wrongly flushed down toilets in the UK each day. (2)

By opting for period products that use less plastic, you are doing your bit to tread more gently on our planet. The following eco-friendly period products are widely available, including at our Y.O.U Oxford shop, and are better for the environment, your body, and your wallet!

What is the most eco-friendly period product?

The most eco-friendly period products are the ones you can use again and again. The main challenge with conventional menstrual products is that once used, they must be disposed of. It’s very difficult to responsibly dispose of a tampon because they are often mostly plastic, and their contact with bodily fluids also makes recycling a challenge. Enter our green period saviours: organic cotton period products, menstrual cups, and reusable period pants. 

What are organic period products?

The easiest switch for a greener period, if you’re used to tampons and sanitary towels getting you through your time of the month, is opting for Organic Cotton period products These function in the same way as mainstream single-use disposable products, except that they’re composed of organic materials. Our favourites are these plastic-free period products by &Sisters. Because of their 100% GOTS certified cotton content, their tampons and pads are fully biodegradable and compostable, meaning after you’re done with them, their materials will eventually return to the earth. When they decompose, they do so without polluting the natural environment with chemicals or microplastics. Organic cotton is also grown without the use of pesticides, so you can rest assured that you’re protecting your body from nasty chemicals by using eco-friendly tampons and pads. At Y.O.U Underwear, we are committed to protecting our skin from harsh synthetics and chemicals, which is why our underwear is also made only from organic cotton.

SHOP ORGANIC PERIOD PRODUCTS

Do period pants work?

Reusable period pants are a genius solution to the sanitary waste problem - and YES, they work! Period pants can be worn at any stage in your cycle, from spotting to heavy flow, or can be used as a safety blanket for those experiencing incontinence. It sounds like magic, so how do period pants work? It’s all down to the careful construction of different material layers.. The layer of fabric closest to the skin is moisture-wicking, quickly drawing away fluids and minimising the damp sensation that often comes with traditional sanitary towels. The middle layer is made from highly absorbent materials which hold the fluid away from the body. The outermost layer is a leak-proof barrier - stains be gone! (3)

These period pants by Fluxies can hold up to 4 tampons worth of blood, meaning you can go about your day without planning your toilet breaks. They can be worn day and night, and they stay leak-free for up to 12 hours, taking all the fuss out of your period! Simply rinse after each use, and wash as you would your normal underwear. Fluxies have a range of period pants available, for different flows, in different shapes, made from different materials - they even have period-proof swimwear, so a visit from Mrs P needn’t ruin your beach day! 

SHOP PERIOD PANTS AND SWIMWEAR

How to use a menstrual cup?

Period cups are another great eco friendly alternative to tampons. Menstrual cups are made from soft silicone, and use suction to stay in place inside the vagina. It can take a minute to get the hang of inserting them, but once you do, they are amazingly discrete and you won’t feel a thing. They can stay put for up to 12 hours, meaning you can forget you’re on your period. What a treat!

Check out these detailed instructions on how to use a menstrual cup.

At Y.O.U Underwear, we think the best menstrual cup is the AllMatters Cup (formerly OrganiCup.) Made of 100% medical-grade silicone, it doesn’t disrupt your body’s natural environment. AllMatters products are also AllergyCertified, cruelty free, and vegan. What’s more, for every period cup you buy with us, we donate £1 to Just A Drop, in support of their Menstrual Hygiene Programme in the Wakiso District of Uganda.

SHOP PERIOD CUPS

What to do with spare period products?

What about those boxes of tampons in the bathroom that you no longer need or use? The sanitary towels that you’ve decided don’t work for you? Or maybe you no longer menstruate? Instead of throwing these out, a simple, sustainable, and ethical way to declutter your bathroom cupboards is to donate unwanted period products. At our Y.O.U Oxford shop, we collect donations for the wonderful charity, Wings. Wings is an Oxford based charity which provides free period products to families in need, using donations to combat period poverty. Another way you can keep things circular with your cycle!

For more reading on the topic, check out our other blogs!

Learn more about period poverty

Try these sustainable swaps to make at home

Read our guide on how to choose underwear for teens

Sources:

(1) How To Have A Sustainable Period | SH:24

(2) Sustainable Periods: Your complete guide to having an eco-friendly period | Marie Claire UK

(3) Do Period Pants Work? The Science of Absorption - Biology Insights

Images courtesy of Canva, Y.O.U Underwear, &Sisters, Fluxies, AllMatters and Wings.

Author: Evie Tucker, Comms and Retail Team, Y.O.U Underwear