There are some very impressive sustainable sanitary products making their way onto the market. At first glance some of them may seem like a hefty investment but considering the average woman has her period 2,535 days of her life, buying a reusable product seems like the sensible choice. From washable applicators to reusable discs and menstrual cups, manufacturers behind menstrual products are finding more innovative ways to lessen their impact on the environment – and not a moment too soon.

The stats on the environmental impact of sanitary waste are quite shocking:

  • 90% of sanitary products are plastic and do not degrade
  • One year’s worth of tampons has a carbon footprint of 5.3kg CO2
  • Disposable period products are the fifth most common item, washed up on beaches across Europe
  • Approximately 1.5 billion sanitary items are flushed down the toilet each year
  • Many sanitary products will spend 500 years in landfill before deteriorating
  • The average woman will dispose of 11,000 products in her lifetime

With these dizzying facts in mind, let’s take a look at some of the more sustainable and ethically driven period products on the market:

1. Modibodi – www.modibodi.co.uk

Modibodi’s Biodegradable Briefs are genuinely innovative, created using a blend of TENCEL™ and Merino wool, scientifically proven to break down into non-toxic substances at the end of their usable life.

Each pair of briefs can be washed over 100 times – that’s more than 8 years of periods when washed once a month!

2. Intiminia – www.intimina.com/greentimina

Intimina is a Swedish brand that offers a range of products dedicated exclusively to all aspects of women’s intimate health.

With their slogan: “Be part of the solution, not pollution”, and their very own green calculator, which allows you to see how much of an impact you’re having by using their products, it’s clear to see that Intimina have their green purpose at the heart of their business.

Intimina Starter Cup

3. Mooncup – www.mooncup.co.uk

British brand, Mooncup, was founded in 2002 with the mission of reducing plastic sanitary waste on our shores. £1 from the sale of each Mooncup is donated to the eco-friendly, non-profit City to Sea.

Each Mooncup menstrual cup is made in the UK from platinum cured, medical grade silicone.

Mooncup are committed to supporting local manufacturing, and by creating the product close to home they ensure sustainable practices and a minimal environmental impact.

Mooncup with user guide

4. Dame – www.wearedame.co

Dame offers award winning organic and reusable period products. They are a B Corp, with a carbon neutral product. The team’s background is traditional period products and in 2015, they pivoted to become the environmentally conscious company they are today.

5. Freda – www.myfreda.com/ourstory

Freda’s products are manufactured in Sweden in a factory which creates zero landfill, with all waste going directly to recycling or to incineration, where it is used to produce heat and electricity. Freda’s founder was moved by the images of female refugees and subsequently a percentage of each purchase is donated to initiatives worldwide tackling period poverty.

6. Flo – www.hereweflo.co

UK company, Flo was founded by two best friends in 2013. Their vegan and cruelty-free tampons are made from OEKO-TEX bamboo, organic cotton and biodegradable materials such as plant cellulose. They also have a range of biodegradable condoms.

Flo Organic Tampons

7. Saalt – www.saaltco.uk/pages/impact

Believing everyone should have the right to a safe and dignified period, Saalt has to date, donated over 34,000 menstrual cups to women in need.

Saalt is the world’s first period care brand to certify as Plastic Negative. In their first year, they removed more than 8,000 lbs of plastic waste from our oceans. What’s more, they have repurposed 300,000 ocean-bound plastic water bottles in their ‘Saalt Wear’.