Every year, 20 billion disposable menstrual products are discarded in the US alone, contributing significantly to waste. With growing concerns about the environment, reusable options like period pants, menstrual cups, and pads have emerged as alternatives. Studies have shown that menstrual cups are the most climate-friendly choice, outperforming period underwear, reusable pads, and disposable products in environmental impact across various categories.
Disposable pads, including organic cotton ones, were found to have the highest environmental impacts due to raw material production and plastics used in manufacturing. Surprisingly, organic cotton pads had a higher impact than non-organic ones, largely due to the resource-intensive process of organic farming. Reusable products like menstrual cups and period pants, though requiring energy and water for cleaning, are much more sustainable in the long run.
The menstrual cup stands out for its long lifespan (up to 10 years) and minimal environmental footprint, with only a month of use needed to offset its carbon impact. However, there are health concerns, such as infections and improper use, particularly among teenagers, which require proper education.
Photo: (c) Unsplash.com/Oana Cristina
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250305-what-is-the-most-sustainable-period-product
