Reusable sanitary products are still the most sustainable and kind on the environment. (Credit: Pixabay)
Reusable sanitary products are still the most sustainable and kind on the environment, say anti-plastics campaigners, despite the introduction of flushable, biodegradable sanitary products. According to a recent survey commissioned by Fluus, a company that sells flushable pads and tampons, over a third of women polled had flushed these two sanitary items and more than half of them do it every month.
Although 78 per cent of those surveyed were worried about the environmental impact of sanitary pads, 70 per cent said they have been unable to access bins when needing to change their tampon or pad.
Affordability is also an issue. It can cost £7 for a pack of 15 flushable pads.
Rebecca Petford, 36, is a Programme Manager at Plastic Free Fife and volunteers with Greener Kirkcaldy. She also runs online workshops to raise awareness about eco-friendly periods and to educate young people on how to be sustainable during that time of the month.
Petford recommended the use of period pants and menstrual cups as the most affordable option.
“One cup costs £20 and lasts 10 years, versus two years’ worth of tampons costing £135,” she said.
Zora, 30, who co-ran a recent workshop, said her anxiety about environmental waste is what motivated her to volunteer for Plastic Free Fife.
She agreed with the group’s message that “conventional products are bad for you and the environment …every single disposable item saved makes a difference.”
During the workshop, Petford advocated for the brand ‘Hey Girls’ and their line of sustainable sanitary products designed to appeal to young people.
Hey Girls is a social enterprise that donates all of their profits to eradicating period poverty and they have donated over 30 million period products across the UK.
