Our planet has suffered for some time now and coming to the end of 2021 reusable straws, shopping bags, coffee cups and water bottles are seen to be the norm. But, when it comes to our periods – how sustainable are you?

One absorbent sanitary pad is comprised of approximately 90% plastic and it’s estimated that every menstruator uses up to 16,000 sanitary items in their lifetime! That’s around 140kgs (30 large wheelie bins) of waste from a single person that ends up in a landfill taking up to 500 years to break down.

“Greening your period and making it plastic-free can be a difficult concept for many,” says Lunette Australian distributor, Carol Morris. Trust us when we say, it feels pretty bloody (sorry, I had to!) good not to throw away so much waste every month. Marianne Perrottet, Head Designer at Bonds agrees, “It’s the best feeling, not having to run out and buy pads and tampons every month.”

Not only are they inventive, but they’re also worthy of an investment that can save you quite a bit of coin so you can buy that cute lounge set you’ve been eyeing off.

Period Underwear

Just as you would wear regular briefs, period underwear feels no different and are made to suit your style and flow. Designed with innovative, leakproof and “Moisture-wicking technology to quickly absorb & contain your flow to help minimise odours,” says Dr Yas, Gynaecologist and U by Kotex Period and Healthcare Ambassador.

There are no limitations when it comes to period underwear, you can absolutely do yoga and be confident of no leakage. The only part you need to worry about is choosing the absorbency level.

MENSTRUAL CUPS

Most of us have heard of menstrual cups by now, and for those tampon users, we suggest making the switch! Unlike tampons, menstrual cups can be worn overnight meaning zero leakage anxiety, and you can sleep in the “good” bed sheet set!

Period cups can hold up to 30ml, can be worn any time day or night and best of all one cup can last you up to 10 years! Making it one of the best ecological and economic ways to live during our period years.

REUSABLE PADS

A horrible thought at first, but unlike the “rag” our grandparents used to wear, the modern cloth pad comes in a range of cute prints with a waterproof backing.

Conventional pads contain harmful toxins– pesticides, herbicides, formaldehyde and bleach just to name a few. “It may not be harmful on impact but they bioaccumulate over time with repeated exposure. As there are no regulations in Australia to disclose the ingredients in pads/tampons, it is therefore important what touches the largest organ of your body– the skin,” – HannahPAD

BIODEGRADABLE PADS

Need to take it back a notch? We got you, start by using biodegradable pads and tampons. Exactly like conventional pads and tampons just made without plastic but with cotton and biodegradable materials so you can rest assured you’re doing your bit for the planet.