Well, recently in a masterclass with SKRAP - which is a social enterprise that offers waste management solutions for events and organisations, I learned a lot about what's on our earth , how much waste is actually being produced, where does it all goes, how harmful is it and how important is it to understand the true meaning of sustainability and the urge to move towards a sustainable lifestyle. Interestingly I came across certain aspects of our lifestyle that can actually be made sustainable and one such aspect was menstruation - a very crucial part of very women's life.
Are your periods sustainable? Are you aware and responsible towards your menstrual cycle ? Have you heard about smart menstrual methods ? Have you ever explored such options?
Certainly, such questions generally never crossed my mind as well until that day when I actually calculated my own cycle count and the number of pads I would use in all these years that actually adds upto around 7000 pads. I realised that how much waste will be generated on the earth if we continued to use the sanitary napkins which are actually not sustainable, since a little has been done to create awareness of other, cheaper, more sustainable alternatives.
Why not sustainable?
Commercial disposable pads first appeared in 1921, when Kotex developed cellucotton, a super-absorbent substance that was used during World War I as medical bandaging.Marketing campaigns helped drive this demand by leaning heavily on the idea that women were liberated from "oppressive old ways" by using disposables, making them modern. During the 1960s and 70s, technical advancements in lightweight plastics soon saw disposable sanitary pads and tampons become more leakproof and user-friendly as plastic backpacks and plastic applicators were incorporated into their designs.They received a significant boost when, in the early to mid-2000s, concerns about the menstrual health of girls and women in these countries were triggered by rapid public policy to take up sanitation pads. Pads were largely preferred over tampons because of the patriarchal taboos against vaginal insertion that prevail in many cultures.
Where does the disposed pads goes?
As the demand for disposable goods has grown, so have the questions about the sustainability of such goods. With about 2 billion menstruating-age girls and women, the potential global burden of menstrual waste may also be important.
Most of this waste ends up in landfills or in oceans where it takes hundreds of years to decompose the plastic and other non-compostable material.
They occupy landfills, clog sewers and waterways and when incinerated, release harmful dioxins and other unpleasant chemicals into the air we breathe.
It is also common to see soiled pads floating in open streams and gutters.
How to make it sustainable? Know your choices:
MENSTRUAL CUPS
By far the awesomest option because of so many reasons. 1 cup is all you need and it lasts 10 years.These cups are made of medical-grade silicone which do not expose the wearer to health risks.
CLOTH PADS
A modern twist on the age-old wisdom of letting nothing but gentle cotton touch your most sensitive areas. It is also an ideal substitute for menstrual cups on low-flow days.
INTER-LABIA PADS
Inter-labia pads (as the name suggests) are worn between the labia (folds of skin at vaginal opening) to catch the menstrual flow and must be used along with a cloth pad or a menstrual cup.
Average Calculation:
An average woman menstruates for about 30-35 years. A menstrual cup that costs about Rs.300-1000 lasts 10 years.
A full-cycle cloth pad kit that costs about Rs. 1500 lasts about 3 years.
The disposable sanitary pads set you back by Rs.165 each month, roughly Rs. 2000 each year, which make it Rs. 60000.
"Take A Step, Be A Responsible Women and Make The Future Sustainable" !
References:
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/waste/is-green-menstruation-possible--64796
https://saraldesigns.in/sanitary-napkins-and-its-environmental-impact-part-1/
https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/urgent-challenge-india-needs-tackle-menstrual-waste-6665/
https://theconversation.com/the-future-of-periods-can-now-be-sustainable-and-cheap-133025
https://www.greenmatters.com/style/2018/07/17/14GTJB/sustainable-period-products
Much needed step in the right direction!
Kudos to you on speaking up about menstrual hygiene. Glad I came across this today. Will share to lots of other women to help the environment in our own little way
This is very important for people to understand nowadays and you're doing a great job to educate them.
Great to know about such alternative ways which turn out to be environment friendly.
A great idea and initiative taken by you , diverting women minds for using better alternatives during periods.