While this can be a real habit shift to get around, shifting your period care products to something that is more low waste is actually something I would recommend even if you hated the environment. 

Actually! I said it.

And, I really meant it.

Similar to a switch to a safety razor in place of disposable plastic razors, this is one area of a low waste lifestyle that makes so much more sense - moving away from single use, disposable pads and tampons saves money, is kinder to our bodies, increases our awareness and relationship with our bodies, and this is all without even considering the lessened impact it has on the environment.

Why Shift?

Most period products these days are made from petroleum products and highly bleached paper products. Petroleum is the synthetic plastic product bits of the pads we wear, and in reality, that's actually crude oil that's been extracted and heavily processed fossil fuels-turned plastics. While single use paper products technically use the renewable (regenerating) resource of trees, their impact does not stop at the felling of a tree. Most paper product creation is a highly intensive process that involves bleach and high water usage. On top of this, trees are not able to regenerate as quickly as we use them up, and we also can't ignore the fact that Canada has just lost an exceptional number of forests this past year through forest fires with the worsening impacts of climate change. This seemingly harmless little pad is actually a mixed material with a whole lot of input for such a short use.

In considering the sustainability of a product or system, the 'end of life' or waste product/outcome is a key aspect of the life cycle to consider to determine if the system can continue on indefinitely into the future. Disposable menstruation products will take over 500 years to decompose, which is a very scary number indeed when we consider the short period of time that they were in use for. While there are a lot of items that we cannot switch away from easily when it comes to single use paper and plastics in a society dependant upon them, this is one of those things that there is an alternative for. 

As a good rule and reminder in anything along this journey to low waste, if something is not kind to the earth, it isn't likely to be kind to our bodies. Over the last five or so years, an increasing number of studies are analyzing the impact of using these types of plastics products in some of our most sensitive areas. The unfortunate truth is that these products expose our nether regions to phthalates, bleach, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and volatile organic compounds, all of which are absorbed through the skin (see this PubMed study here for more direct information). A menstruating person can experience up to 1,800 days of their period; the products one chooses can therefore provide long term exposure to the materials included. 1,800 days in direct contact with some very dangerous, impactful chemicals is likely to not be in our best interest, and luckily, alternatives do exist!

To further compound the human issues prevalent in this area of our lives, the cost and impact of that cost also presents a number of inequalities and issues. Period poverty is an issue for so many, and although some of these options are more expensive at the get go, there is a decreased cost over time when choosing reusable options. Choosing some of these options can bring more awareness to your cycle and this in turn can create better body awareness and empowerment in an area that has notoriously been ousted as something embarrassing, unsanitary and hidden. In a world where marginalized groups experience increased health impacts of climate change and poor environmental health, an intersectional lens can help us see the need for healthier alternatives that make period care more accessible and considerate.

1. Menstrual Cups

As a real menstrual cup lover, I enjoyed the scene in "the Last of Us" when the main character is given a reusable cup and they actually showed this on TV - there are simply too many apocalypse shows that just glaze over all the work it would be to learn how to get back to reusable things when we've been dependant on disposables for so long! A reusable item shifts us away from the overarching system of capitalism that requires us to constantly be consuming towards some self sufficiency and eliminates some of the corners capitalism needs to cut in order to be highly profitable (in terms of people and planet).

Cups can be a long-term solution to remembering to buy - and pay for - disposable products over and over, which is the real clincher of convenience living. A menstrual cup is made of food grade silicone, and when it finally reaches the end of its useful life after a few years, it can simply be thrown in a campfire (or other fire) and burn cleanly to break down into non-toxic elements. We really love Aisle's menstrual cups, as they come in completely plastic-free packaging, are made transparently in Canada, and have really nailed down a non-gendered approach to period care and branding in terms of their values.

Cups can be a bit of a learning curve, but provide the greatest understanding of your flow and body. Most users find these to be much more comfortable than soggy paper after switching, and the smell of the whole process is essentially removed (as there is no paper to soak things up and emanate). Most cups work via suction, but they aren't meant to be uncomfortable. The general rule is that if you can feel it, you're likely not wearing the correct size or need to adjust how it has been inserted. The traditional menstrual cup is simple to fold and insert, and the elongated tab assists in placing and adjusting the cup to a comfortable position. There are also alternatives to the suction cup style, as well! Nixit makes a round dome shaped cup that sits on the pubic bone internally, so it does not rely on suction to remain in place. The blood is dumped directly into the toilet, so there is no waste left behind. This can be a great option for camping and travelling, and most cups come with a small baggie so that it can be transported easily on your travels.

Depending on your age and whether you've had children, there are a few different options for sizing when choosing your cup. Cups can provide less maintenance in that you often only empty it once or twice a day, depending on your body and your flow. I find, after two babies, that I have one day in my cycle that I can always count on to be a heavy flow day, and that day I add a reusable liner in order to catch myself in case I forget to empty my cup on a heavier day. Cups can be worn overnight without the fears that are present with tampons left in that long, or you can switch it out for period underwear or a reusable pad.

Cups can be washed with a mild natural soap (an unscented, biodegradable dish soap or Castile soap work great, and are available at a lot of refilleries like ours) and then boiled for ten minutes (or microwaved in water and vinegar) to sanitize them at the end of your period. 

2. Reusable Pads + Liners

Another option for alternative period care is the reusable pad or liner. These guys kick it back to the days of our grandparents, when "period rags" were a real thing. Much more evolved that a "rag", these reusables work via a snap around the bottom of your underwear and come in the same type of categories that paper products do, with mini pads, liners, regular, heavy, and overnight options. These are absolutely more comfortable and softer than a soggy, bleached paper option, and depending on your preference, can be fun prints or a solid colour tone that really soaks it in (like our options from Aisle).

One thing that you may have to reflect on with a shift to a reusable routine is with how you'll make it work when you're out and about. We recommend a snack baggie with a zipper that has some "wet bag material" on the inside to prevent liquids from passing through, a Tupperware or container that can hold your pad securely once used. Whatever you choose, you likely have something you can repurpose or upcycle from your recycling bin! Stashing an extra pad in a baggie as you head out the door (really, the same amount of work you'd likely put in to bring disposables) is all you need to remember, and then you can swap the used for the fresh when you're out and about and have a home for the used pad, stress-free. The next aspect is remembering to unpack and wash that sucker when you're home! If this seems a bit overwhelming, a great way to transition to this habit is to start out with the reusables when you're home, and gradually add them into your life when you're out and about, perhaps having a period of transition time in the middle there where you're still using your disposables up as you go.

To maintain your pads, you can hand wash/rinse out the blood right after you use the pad, or you can set them aside until laundry day and soak them in water (a bit of vinegar can be added to freshen, if preferred) and wring them out before placing them in the wash. I've even had a number of people tell me that they don't do either of those processes and just throw it in with their laundry, but the pre-soak or rinsing route helps remove most of the liquid pre-wash. This can also help your pads last longer, depending on how soiled the pad is, and your washing machine. Some higher efficiency machines utilize less water, so a full rinse out might not be achievable and that's not ideal long term; so knowing your washer is another consideration in how you'll maintain things. Reusable pads can be placed in the dryer, but I find putting them out on a sunny day can really sanitize them naturally as well. Air drying will also help your pads last longer, as avoiding the dryer can do for all of our clothing and natural fibres.

3. Period Underwear

Period underwear can be another great option for shifting away from single use paper tampons and pads. We suggest if you go this route to ensure you're choosing a pair that isn't just comfy, but one that is also PFA free and of high quality. PFA free panties ensure that there are no "forever chemicals" that can be found in the manufacturing of disposable products and cheap plastics. A higher quality underwear will also encourage long term use as generally these panties are made of petrochemicals and plastic fibres, so you'll want to use fewer of these over time and help them last longer. We highly recommend Period Aisle (sustainable fabrics range), Saalt (sustainable fabrics), The Period Company (organic cotton!), TomboyX (OEKO-TEK certified fabrics), Modibodi (merino wool options), WUKA (certified organic cotton), and Revol Cares (sustainable fabrics). 

Does this feel a bit overwhelming right now?

While swapping out this aspect of our personal care is a bit of a learning curve, it is worthwhile, from a cost, environmental and personal healthcare perspective! Sometimes leaning into a new shift that requires a lot of habit change can be difficult though, especially when we are managing a lot of things in a certain season of life or are struggling with mental health issues. That is totally understandable, and the goal isn't perfection here. The more we increase our knowledge and consider alternatives, the more we can open our minds to a new way. If it isn't something you can approach now, at least you know what it will entail and it might be something you're ready for in the future. If we can approach all of our lifestyle changes with more grace, we are able to have more progress over perfection, more long term shift versus short term motivation bursts! If you're hoping to make a shift without tackling a whole new habit and lifestyle upgrade, feel free to check out our range of Canadian, organic material and fully biodegradable disposable pads, liners and tampons from Joni, and come on back here when this time is right for you!