Bleed Eco-Friendly — Charger Press

Mar 16

Mar 16 Bleed Eco-Friendly

Peyton Impola

The recent release of the Disney movie Turning Red has stirred up a bit of controversy among audiences. Some viewers feel that the film's discussion and representation of periods is “inappropriate” for young viewers, and is not suitable for a children’s movie. The backlash is, quite frankly, ridiculous. Periods are not a taboo topic and should not be treated as such. Menstruation is completely natural. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for most period products.

According to Global Citizen, sanitary pads, tampons, their wrapping, and their packaging produce roughly 200,000 pounds of metric waste each year. Much of that plastic waste will not break down for over 500 years. It's clear menstruation has a long term impact on the environment. The question is, what can we do about that?

The truth is, there are many options for a more sustainable cycle. There are a myriad of environmentally friendly alternatives to the typical pad or tampon that are just as effective and sanitary, and do not place an unnecessary burden upon the user.

The most recognizable alternative would be the menstrual cup. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have surged in popularity over the past few years. Most menstrual cups are made of silicon or latex rubber. The cup shape collects the flow of blood, as opposed to absorbing it like a pad or tampon. The cups are reusable, as the user just needs to wash it between uses. Menstrual cups provide a sustainable alternative to the typical pad, and work just as effectively as mainstream period products. The only downside to the menstrual cup is that for younger girls they can be a bit intimidating and difficult to insert. However, for women who are more experienced with menstruation, the menstrual cup is a fantastic way to reduce period product waste.

Reusable pads are sanitary pads made from cotton as opposed to the typical plastic. There are many brands to choose from, many of which are affordable. They work just as a regular pad would, with the only difference being that they are reusable. They can be washed with towels or clothing. There are multiple options for absorbability, depending on the flow of the user. Reusable pads are much less costly than the normal disposable pad, as the user would not have to keep buying a new box every time they ran out. For those who are comfortable with their sanitary pads, reusable pads are a perfect solution to creating less waste during the menstrual cycle.

Oftentimes lumped in with reusable pads are period panties. These underwear are crafted to be a bit bulkier, with a built in reusable pad. They provide a comfortable option to menstruators who do not have to wear a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup during their cycle. Like the reusable pad, most period panties are machine washable, which makes them easy to take care of. Many menstruators prefer the comfort and ease provided by the period panty than any other menstrual product.

The biggest problem that accompanies tampons is the plastic applicator and wrapping. There is a simple solution to this issue, and that is applicator free tampons. Many companies have begun to package their tampons sans the plastic applicator, and in cardboard packaging. You can even buy reusable applicators. For those who prefer the mobility that tampons provide, buying ones without the wasteful applicator is an outstanding step towards sustainability.

Many sustainable products have a reputation for being pricey. While that is certainly true for some items, using sustainable menstrual products is actually cheaper in the long run than continuing to use the typical pad or tampon. According to the National Organization for Women, a typical menstruator spends about $20 on period products per cycle. That adds up to roughly $240 a year. By switching to reusable products, not only would you benefit the environment, but you would also be saving hundreds of dollars.

Menstruation does not have to equal waste. There are lots of options for environmentally friendly period products. A simple Google search yields hundreds of options for different products and companies that provide sustainable alternatives to the typical period product. Making the switch to sustainability doesn’t have to be overly complicated or ceremonious. It can start with taking the steps to bleed eco-friendly.