Sustainable. Biodegradable. Period.
For those of us who menstruate, it may seem as if throwing away period products is just part of the monthly routine. But there are ways to have a more eco-friendly period. Traditional period product companies have been stringing us along for years- tampons are wrapped in plastic, have a plastic applicator, and many tampon companies use plastic and / or bleach when it comes to the absorbent part- not exactly things you want in your body. It is estimated over 100 billion period products are disposed of every year, nearly all containing plastics. In 2018 alone, people in the U.S. bought 5.8 billion tampons, and over the course of a lifetime, a single menstruator will use somewhere between 5 and 15 thousand pads and tampons, the vast majority of which will wind up in landfills. To offer up some safer and more eco-friendly alternatives, here are our East Coast team’s picks for a more simplified and sustainable period.
DivaCup:
On the Cup and Up
If you are looking for a zero-waste period experience, look no further than the DivaCup. Diva is a certified B Corp and DivaCups are made in Canada from 100% medical grade silicone. These reusable menstrual cups are also latex, dye, rubber, BPA and plastic-free. Wearable for up to 12 hours, the DivaCup is cost-effective, too. This investment will last for at least 1-2 years and the cups are recyclable when you are done using them. We also highly recommend DivaWash, which helps keep the cup fresh and clean. While there is definitely an adjustment period if you are used to using tampons or pads, the DivaCup arrives with a super easy to follow user guide and comes in three different sizes depending on your age and whether or not you’ve given birth. We were once cup skeptics, but are now total cup converts. There’s nothing more gratifying than saving money while saving the planet.
Saalt Cup:
Saalt of the Earth
Saalt provides another reusable menstrual cup experience. Saalt is a B Corp, whose mission is to empower people to care for their periods in a healthy and sustainable way. Saalt Cups are beautifully and sustainably packaged, and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Saalt advises that their cups last for 10 years (replacing approximately 3,000 tampons), and also last for 12 hours at a time, collecting as much as 3-4 tampons. The Saalt Cup is FDA registered and made with a non-toxic formula that is naturally hypoallergenic, BPA, and latex-free. Check out the Saalt Cup Wash, which is paraben-free and has a light citrus scent, giving the cup the right amount of cleaning. Saalt commits 2% of revenue to help provide improved period care and educational opportunities to women and girls in need.
Cora
Cora makes 100% organic cotton tampons and pads for healthier period care. Cora’s tampons can be purchased as a customizable subscription or a la carte. With every subscription, Cora will send you a Signature Kit with a stylish black box to store your products, as well as a sleek carrying case. Cora organic tampons are available with an applicator, or applicator free and are GOTS certified, which means they’re guaranteed to be ethically sourced, free of pesticides, and made without child labor. We are also huge fans of their sustainable Body Cloths, which are made from bamboo and are infused with natural essential oils, are free of chemicals, and are biodegradable. Cora manufactures their pads and liners here in the US with renewable energy, and has a social mission as well- with every purchase, Cora gives pads to a girl in need.
Lola
Lola is a female-founded company that makes period and sexual wellness products from high-quality natural ingredients. Lola tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and are made without synthetic fibers, chlorine bleach, dyes, fragrance, chemical additives, or synthetic fibers. We are long-time fans of Lola’s tampons and love their subscription model which allows you to customize your box of organic tampons, adding the number of Light, Regular, Super, and Super Plus tampons of your choosing. Lola also allows you to choose from a BPA-free compact applicator, cardboard applicator, or non-applicator tampons, depending on your comfort level. Their ultra-thin pads and liners are also made from 100% organic cotton and use a plant-based waterproof backing rather than plastic. Lola is an advocate for women’s health issues, and every purchase supports their mission to make menstrual care more accessible for women across the U.S.
Thinx
For another zero-waste period experience, it’s worth giving Thinx a try. Thinx makes period underwear with “period-proof” tech, and offers styles that claim to absorb anywhere from ½ to 4 tampons’ worth. Thinx debunks the notion that period underwear means trotting our your least favorite pairs from the back of the drawer. With several stylish options to choose from, including a fun new collab with Ilana Glazer, Thinx are cost-effective and can be tossed right into the washer. Thinx also ensures that their manufacturing process is sustainable with ethical working conditions, and supports organizations that advocate for women’s reproductive health. Even if you aren’t ready to use these totally solo, these are great to pair with tampons or to use overnight.
Seventh Generation
We tend to feel nostalgic about this B Corp from Vermont, and with good reason. For over 30 years, Seventh Generation has made plant-based products with the mission of transforming the world into a healthy, sustainable, and equitable place. Seventh Generation tampons are 100% organic (with applicator and non-applicator options), and they also offer chlorine-free pads and pantyliners that are hypoallergenic and contain no added fragrances or deodorants. In addition to their sustainable business practices, Seventh Gen is committed to helping eliminate the “tampon tax”, which subjects period products to a state sales tax, unlike other items (Chapstick, shampoo, condoms) that are tax-exempt due to their status as a necessity. Seems like a necessary change to us.
SustaiN NATURAL
Creating sustainable period products runs in the blood. Meika Hollender, daughter of Seventh Generation co-founder Jeffrey Hollender, teamed up with her dad to launch Sustain Natural in 2014 with the mission of putting women’s health first by making better, and safer products than traditional brands. Sustain’s tampons, pads and pantyliners are made from one ingredient: 100% Certified Organic Cotton, and are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. A certified B Corp, Sustain ensures sustainability and fair practices throughout its supply chain and gives 10% of profits to women's healthcare organizations.