Finding good zero waste period products is so much easier than it ever was. Gone are the days of spending huge amounts of money on some bulky reusable pad that stank after a few washes. Today zero waste period products are innovative, affordable and to my mind much more of a joy to use than traditional products. And there’s something for everyone from the teenager starting out to someone whose perimenopausal. It won’t surprise you to learn that I fit into the latter category. With all the incredible products available there is no reason to use single-use period products anymore.
So, what are the Reusable Alternatives?
And how do you have a zero-waste period?
Well, it all depends on what you feel comfortable using. There are reusable pads, period pants, zero waste period cups and even reusable tampon applicators. But let’s start with reusable pads. Where do you find them, can they hold a heavy flow and how do you wash them? Keep reading I promise I’ll reveal all.
Try Reusable Pads
Reusable pads are generally made from GOTS certified organic cotton, with a super absorbent gusset sewn into the centre to absorb the blood. You attach them to your pants by fastening the wings around your underwear with a popper, much like you would with a disposable pad. They come in different absorbancies everything from panty liners to super heavy flow. To clean them, I rinse mine in cold water until the water runs clear and then pop them in the washing machine. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you shouldn’t wash them with fabric conditioner or put them in the tumble dryer, as this reduces the absorbency of your pad. I also find rinsing a reusable pad first helps to stop them smelling in the long term.
Where to Buy Reusable Pads?
- Mooncup x WUKA sell reusable pads GOTS certified organic cotton, with a super absorbent gusset, use code N4MUMMY for 10% off your order.
- Cheeky Wipes sell bamboo cloth pads or cotton cloth pads, click on this link, or type Karen Maurice into the check out for 15% off your first order.
- DAME sell reusable period pads that are made from organic cotton with a super-absorbent middle. Use code N4MUMMYM15 for 15% off your first order with Naturismo.
Try Period Pants
A personal favourite, period pants really are the most incredible invention and to my mind the best reusable menstrual product. Much like traditional pads, you buy them based on your flow. You can buy everything from a light flow to a super heavy flow. I first started using them after giving birth to my third child, as I found them much more comfortable to wear than the chunky disposable pads. You can wear them for a whole day or nighttime, and I’ve never had a problem with them leaking. However, I do have some friends who use them alongside a menstruation cup, for the first heavy days of their period. Period pants are also really good for young girls starting out with their period. They’re easy to use and there’s no embarrassing changes required in school toilets.
How to Wash Period Pants
As for washing period pants, again it’s really straight forward. I make a habit of jumping in the shower each morning with my period pants on, so giving them a rinse before they go in the machine. I then either pop them in a plastic bag, until I have a few pairs to wash, or straight into the machine. The key is not to leave them for too many days or they inevitably start to smell. And just like reusable period pads, you shouldn’t tumble dry them or use fabric softener as that reduces their absorbency.
Where to Buy Period Pants
Many high street stores now sell reusable period pads, including Primark (don’t get me started on the ethics there!) But I’ve always bought mine from the original brands who first brought period pants to the UK. My reason for this is because in my experience they are comfy, don’t leak and crucially are durable. Brands like Wuka have thought through the fabrics they are using to ensure they are fully absorbent and have a low environmental impact. Fabrics such as bamboo and organic cotton rather than pants made from synthetic materials.
- Wuka have award winning period pants and are one of the brands I wear all the time for comfort, leak free protection and the fact they never feel icky! Use code N4MUMMY for 10% off your order.
- Modi Bodi were my first ever pair of period pants and started on my journey, like Wuka they are very comfy and leak proof.
The Reusable Menstrual Cup
And last, but not least, the reusable menstrual cup, which you probably know by the name the Mooncup. A reusable menstrual cup is a small, foldable cup that you insert inside the vaginal canal to collect menstrual blood. It’s a great eco-friendly alternative to disposable products.
Period cups are generally made from recyclable soft hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone, though some are made from rubber or plastic. The menstruation cups come in different sizes depending on your age and whether you’ve had children. They have the capacity for approximately 3 tampons worth and if inserted correctly, in my experience, they don’t leak. When your menstrual cup is full you remove it, wash it and then sterilize it. Because of the sterilization part, I personally find it easiest to use a menstruation cup at home to remove the embarrassment factor. I would also recommend buying a product that is made from medical grade silicone, as it’s a hypoallergenic alternative to rubber which can be linked to latex allergies.
Where to Buy a Reusable Menstrual Cup
- &sisters nudie Provides up to 12 hours of protection a day and it’s made from recyclable soft hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone.
- Grace & Green available at Naturismo. A reusable period cup made from 100% medical grade silicone. Use code N4MUMMYM15 for 15% off your first order with Naturismo.
- Mooncup Again this reusable menstrual cup is made from special medical grade non-allergic silicone. Available at the Ethical Superstore.
Eco-friendly Disposable Period Products
In the UK we create 200,000 tonnes of waste from single use menstrual products, i.e. disposable tampons, pads and applicators. It’s a pretty scary, incomprehensible stat. Now clearly using zero-waste period products is the best option for reducing your environmental impact and plastic waste. However, there are occasions when using single-use menstrual products is a much more practical option. For example, I always carry around organic tampons in my wallet for emergencies. It would be very bulky to carry around a pair of period pants or a reusable menstrual cup. And there are some great innovations in the area of eco-friendly disposable period products.
Disposable Pads
Currently 2.5 billion pads are used annually in the UK. Most of these pads are made of 90% plastic, which means they won’t biodegrade. However, there is a new brand called Fluus. They have developed fully flushable, microplastic free, 72% plant based and vegan friendly disposable period pads. Fluus pads look, and you use them, just like a traditional pad, they even have the sticky part to attach to your knickers. But the amazing difference is that every single part of them can be flushed down the toilet. Yes even the packaging. They have WIS 4-02-06 certification to be flushed in UK waterways.
- Shop Fluus, use code N4MUMMY50 for 50% off your first box of 15 pads.
Organic Tampons
If you spend too much time on the internet, you’ll find someone who tells you that organic tampons will reduce the risk of TSS (toxic shock syndrome). Also that they’ll help with cramps. In fact there is little evidence to suggest either.
To my mind the primary reason to use organic tampons, rather than regular tampons, is for the good of our planet. Firstly they don’t contain the harsh chemicals that we wouldn’t want outside or inside our bodies. Traditional tampons can contain synthetic fibres, dyes, dioxins, chlorine and bleach. Dioxins are often found in mainstream tampon brands and are classified as carcinogens by the World Health Organisation. So arguably there health benefits for using organic tampons. It also means when we dispose of them, less of these chemicals are being leached into the ground or our waterways as they decompose. Organic tampons are biodegradable, so no microplastics are released into our world and they use less fertilisers, pesticide and insecticides in production, so are better for soil health.
Where to Buy Organic Tampons
- Boots – Boots have a great selection of affordable organic tampons from brands such as &sisters, Flo organic & Lil-Lets.
- Ethical Superstore – Ethical Superstore also have a fantastic selection at affordable prices and stock brands such as Natracare, Eco by Naty and Organyc.
- You can get subscriptions to organic tampons through brands such as Grace & Green & Daye
Tampon Applicators
And finally let’s talk about tampon applicators. It makes total sense that most people prefer to put a tampon in with an applicator. But, using a packet of tampons with single use plastic applicators in is such a waste. Most mainstream brands have switched to using cardboard applicators, but still to my mind that’s an unnecessary waste. But how about if you could just have 1 tampon applicator for your entire period life? Well, you can now buy a reusable tampon applicator. It is truly a genius invention.
- DAME – This award-winning hygienic applicator is medical grade, sel-sanitising and lasts for over 3,000 uses. It fits tampon sizes lite to super plus.
How Using Zero Waste Period Products Saves Money
I’m aware the one thing we haven’t talked about is money. Yes I’ve pointed out the eco benefits of using reusable period products, but I also wanted to share how using zero waste period products has saved me money. It’s been estimated that we can spend up to £492 a year on having a period, which in this age of the cost-of-living crisis is a lot. Just think you could have a nice weekend away in a hotel for that price.
The great thing about reusable menstrual products is that you buy them once. Yes buying enough period pants is an investment, but it is one that will pay off. My advice is to always watch out for flash sales, or use my discount codes. You don’t have to switch to using reusable products all at once. Buy one product, try it and if it works get another, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
So that’s my guide to how to have a zero-waste period. I’d love to hear from you if you’ve used and loved any of these products, or if you know of a period product or brand I’ve not mentioned. Do please message me or comment below.
