This is the real environmental damage caused by disposable period products

This is the real environmental damage caused by disposable period products

Oct 27, 2018Katie Stow

When it comes to periods, we are far too busy getting frapped off with our own usually-immensely-ill-timed bleeding to focus on anything other than just getting through the week without ripping someone's head off or bleeding through our jeans. That's why when we found out the impact our tampons and pads have on the environment, we were massively taken aback.

Obviously, the first thing you need to be aware of is just how many people are on their periods at any given moment. Women start menstruating between the ages of 11 and 45 years old, with each period lasting three to seven days (on average). This means, in total, a woman will spend about six-and-a-half years on their period.

...We’ll pause while that shock sets in.

When women are tackling their period armed with pads and tampons (AKA disposable period products), then the average lady will use between 11,000 and 17,000 tampons in their lifetime.

In weight terms, that’s 140kg of tampons. Around the same weight as a panda bear, 47 billion grains of sand or 44,800 tea bags.

In terms of what lands in the bin (or in landfill) every woman who uses disposable period products chucks out around 22 products per period (about a plastic bag full each month) and that adds up to a whopping wheelie-bin worth of products each and every year.

That means for the average 25 year-old, they’re tracking at about 11 wheelie-bins and counting.

If you’re keen to cut back on your waste load, then there are options! Opting for sustainable products to use on your period will help you save the world whilst keeping your monthly visit from Mother Nature stress free and mess free.

Period underwear is the newest invention on the block, using clever technology to keep things stain, smell and fuss free.

You can trade in your 17,000 tampons for seven pairs of Modibodi undies that will last you a lifetime, and play with a bunch of cuts and colours to keep things fresh each month.

Intrigued about trying a pair for yourself? Check out all the options, here.



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