Eco period products

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Did you know disposable period products, such as pads and tampons, are a significant contributor to landfill waste each year?

  • Over the course of a lifetime, a single menstruator will use around between 10,000 - 12,000 pads and / or tampons – which nearly all ends up in landfill, costing approximately $6,000!
  • Single-use pads and tampons contribute to over 200,000 tonnes of landfill per year in Australia alone.
  • 90% of conventional pads contain plastic (backing, adhesive strips, packaging) which in landfill would take 300 - 500 years to decompose, if ever.
  • Tampon applicators and wrappers often end up in waterways, contributing to microplastic pollution and harming marine life.
  • Considering the number of people menstruating, roughly 6 million in Australia, the cumulative environmental impact is staggering.

And remember it doesn't have to be all or nothing - even if you use reusable period products interchangeably, for example only during the day or for a couple of days a week, that still makes a huge difference in reducing the amount of disposable products ending up in landfill.

Making the switch to reusable products can help reduce waste, save money, and support a cleaner, greener Surf Coast!

Why might you consider using eco period products?

Economic benefits

The amount of money you save by switching to reusable period products will depend on the frequency of your period, how heavy your flow is and the typical duration of your period. Next month take note of how many products you use and how much they cost, and you will be able to work out how much you typically spend in a year. It’s estimated however that a person will spend around $100 a year to manage their period - with an average of 35 years menstruating - which totals approximately $3,500 over a lifetime! By switching to reusable period products ($30-150 one-off cost), you can save money and avoid going to the shops each month!

Comfort and convenience

Cloth pads and absorbent period underwear flex with your body making them comfortable to wear. When menstrual cups and discs are inserted correctly, you won’t feel them and because they are reusable, you’ll never run out making them super convenient! 

Getting started and looking after eco period products

How many products do you need to get started?

The number of cloth pads or pairs of period underwear needed will vary from person to person, but roughly you’ll need around 6-12 with varying levels of absorbency, to match your flow from day to day. You may wish to have spares in case some are in the wash, or to carry in your bag for outings.

If you have decided that a menstrual cup or disc is for you - you only need to buy one – making them a very simple switch that can be used for years (sometimes up to 10 years if looked after well and depending on the manufacturers recommendations).

How do I care for cloth pads and period underwear?

To wash your cloth pads and period underwear, rinse with water until it runs clear – do this immediately after use if possible, or at the end of the day. Store the items in a dry pail/basket with air flow until wash day.

Cloth pad and menstrual underwear washing tips from Clean Cloth Nappies:

  • Use an adequate amount of good strong detergent since these are heavily soiled items
  • Use warm or hot water
  • Ensure you have good agitation (by loading your machine correctly)
  • Use a long cycle

Source: www.cleanclothnappies.com

How do I care for menstrual cups and discs?

Your cup or disc will come with instructions on how to insert and remove them, and they will likely recommend sterilising before the start of your cycle. During your period empty the cup or disc and rinse with water – this is often easiest to do in the shower. At the end of your period, clean with regular soap and water, and sterilise before storing (for more cleaning tips see Menstrual Cups Australia Online).

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