let’s be honest. you don’t love the time of the month you get your period. it’s painful and all you want to do is stay in bed eating your favourite comfort food. but buying expensive menstrual products also has a hidden cost. a cost that is known too well to people trying to live sustainable lives. 

the cost of menstrual products

according to research, women in north america dispose of 12 billion single-use tampons menstrual napkins every year. in India, almost one billion sanitary pads are disposed of every year. why is disposing of so many pads an environmental hazard? well, conventional disposable sanitary pads contain 90% plastic. even the top layer which is known as the “fabric” layer is a woven plastic sheet.

surprised? there is more. the sanitary pads being disposed of every day will take around 500-800 years to fully break down. they are not only non-biodegradable but can also be very toxic.

a study in the United States shows that non-organic rayon-based tampons can have very harmful chemicals in them. they could even have toxic chemicals like ones used in paint strippers. what’s worse is that we have very little information available in public about what materials are used in our menstrual products.

don’t have a panic yet. many environmental advocacy groups have realized the massive environmental pollution these menstrual products are causing and there has been a gradual movement towards using more sustainable menstrual hygiene products.

what are sustainable periods?

sustainable periods are just our way to be more conscious about the waste we are creating and look for better alternatives. all we can do is do our bit to make a change which will then create a larger shift in society. here are three ways you can start your sustainable journey:

• menstrual cups- you must have heard of menstrual cups at least once by now. they are flexible cups made of silicone or rubber that are inserted into the vagina to collect period fluid. they will last you for five to ten years.
• reusable and sustainable period underwear- considering that menstrual cups are still a little bit of a taboo in this country, period underwear is something you should go for. they are exactly like the sanitary napkins we use minus the environmental cost. they are super absorbent, comfortable, and can be used for at least one to two years. think about the expenses one might be able to save along with the environment.
• organic or reusable pads- organic sanitary napkins are made up of materials like banana fibre, corn starch, bamboo fibre, and bio-compostable plastic. they will decompose within 6 to 12 months; reducing a lot of waste in the process.

aastey strongly believes in reducing its carbon footprint and strives to become a fully sustainable athleisure brand. it is a long road ahead but taking the first step counts a lot.

so, yes you can have sustainable periods that will not only keep the environment clean and healthy but also our bodies away from toxic chemicals.

take care of yourself.

live sustainable. live aastey.