If you’re a person who menstruates, you may have noticed that the hygiene products you use every month produce an awful lot of plastic waste. Think about it: From plastic tampon applicators to colorful pad wrappers, period products send a lot of waste to landfills and incinerators. Menstruation is the most natural thing in the world -- but periods can have a big impact on your carbon footprint.

Have you ever considered switching to reusable feminine hygiene products? It used to be the case that swapping traditional pads and tampons for their eco-friendly counterparts meant sacrificing comfort and performance. But the current zeitgeist of sustainability has ushered in a greater number of safe, effective, and affordable options for reusables on the market than ever before.

In this post, we’ll first explore some of the reasons why you might want to make the switch to reusable period products, and later we’ll demystify the various alternatives to single-use pads and tampons.

flowers pads.png — Why Switch to Reusable Period Products?

Reusable products are better for the environment.

If you’re trying to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, you’re probably invested in sending as little waste to landfills and incinerators as possible. But did you know that in the course of one menstruating person’s reproductive lifetime, an estimated 300 pounds of pads and tampons will go straight to the landfill? These products cannot be recycled — and they don’t break down, either. And that statistics doesn’t even include packaging: Think about all the tampon wrappers, plastic applicators, and plastic bags that these hygiene products come with. Even OB-brand tampons, which don’t have applicators, are wrapped in plastic! And since plastic doesn’t biodegrade, these applicators, wrappers, and bags will still be hanging around thousands of years from now.

Alternatively, a reusable silicone menstrual cup or a cloth pad can be used over and over for years. Making the switch to reusable products can truly make a difference and go a long way toward reducing waste.

Reusable hygiene products are safer for your body.

In the United States, pads and tampons are classified as medical devices by the FDA. This classification means that manufacturers aren’t actually required to disclose what’s in them — namely, according to Time, pesticides and chemicals, including bleach. Although there are only trace amounts of these toxic substances present in pads and tampons, repeated exposure can lead to some pretty serious side effects, including cancer.

Furthermore, it’s well known that tampons can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), too. Although rare, TSS is a serious condition, which is why tampon instructions always include warnings to use the least absorbent tampons possible.

Reusable feminine hygiene products, including menstrual cups and cloth pads, don’t have these health risks. In fact, cups and cloth pads contain far fewer chemicals than their counterparts, as long as you give them a quick wash before using them. And to date, there has been just one (one!) reported case of TSS associated with menstrual cup usage.

You’ll save money.

As any menstruating person knows, pads and tampons are expensive — especially if you have a long or heavy period and require more pads or tampons than the average person. Estimates vary, but it is thought that most people will spend around $6,300 on period products in a lifetime! Ouch.

The good news? Menstrual cups cost around $20 and last for up to 10 years. Cloth pads are approximately $3.50 per pad (you can make your own for cheaper) and last a similar length of time. Ultimately, you can save thousands of dollars by making the switch from disposable products to reusable ones.

If you want to reduce waste, save money, and limit your exposure to pesticides and chemicals, then consider making the switch to reusable hygiene products. Below, we’ve outlined four different options for an eco-friendly period.

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are reusable silicone cups that are inserted during your period and designed to replace tampons. When full (or every 12 hours), you take out your cup, tip the contents into the toilet, and then reinsert it. With proper care and cleaning, your menstrual cup will last for years.

For a comfortable and effective fit, you need to consider the size and length of your vaginal canal, whether or not you’ve given birth vaginally, and how heavy your flow is. Also, we recommend buying a respected brand — cheaper cups aren’t as durable and therefore need to be replaced sooner, so you won’t end up saving that much money.

Menstrual Cup Brand Recommendations: DivaCup, MoonCup, Lunette Cup, LenaCup, and FemmyCycle are all good picks. A menstrual cup will generally cost around $15-30.

Reusable Cloth Pads

Swap single-use menstrual pads with reusable cloth pads! They come in a wide range of sizes and absorbency levels to suit your needs. When it’s time to wash them, just make sure to pre-rinse them in cold water to remove as much blood as possible, and avoid using chlorine bleach or fabric softeners on these. With proper care, cloth pads last for years.

Reusable Cloth Pad Brand Recommendations: Hesta Organic, Lunapads, and GladRags are reputable and affordable. If you’re feeling crafty, cloth pads are also very easy to DIY — or check Etsy for even more options.

Period Underwear

Period underwear is underwear with a built-in liner that absorbs menstrual blood. They can be used on their own like a pad, or you can use them in combination with a tampon or menstrual cup to catch any leaks. Just like caring for a cloth pad, make sure to pre-rinse your period underwear with cold water to remove excess blood, and avoid using chlorine bleach, strong detergents, or fabric softeners -- they decrease the material’s absorbency and can inhibit the fabric’s antimicrobial and moisture-wicking treatments from working.

Period Underwear Brand Recommendations: ModiBodi is an Australian brand of period underwear popular for its affordability and effectiveness. Thinx is more popular in the United States because of its trendy designs that look and feel just like normal underwear; it also has a line designed specifically for teens and tweens called Thinx BTWN. Both ModiBodi and Thinx panties can hold up to two tampons’ worth of blood. Lunapads created Luna Undies by sewing a cloth pad directly into panties, resulting in a product that is less bulky than a cloth pad. Some of the underwear styles have removable inserts, so they can be adjusted to fit your flow. They can absorb two tampons’ worth with the insert and one without it.

Organic Cotton Tampons

If you’re not ready to switch from disposables to reusables just yet, don’t fret! Just use the eco-friendliest single-use tampon and pad options out there, made from organic cotton free from pesticides, chemicals, and perfumes.

Organic Cotton Tampons Brand Recommendations: NatraCare tampons are organic, cruelty-free, and developed by a female-owned company. Organyc is another plastic-free option, designed specifically for folks with sensitive skin. Seventh Generation organic tampons are popular for their wide availability in most stores and for their affordability.

Choose What You Feel Most Comfortable With

No matter what alternative you choose, it’s easy to have an eco-friendly period — just as it’s easy to eat a whole block of fair trade chocolate on your period. We’ve all been there.

How to Have an Eco-Friendly Period