Cups, cloth and sponges: Periods go #green

From #GreentheRed and #CupandCloth, to #GreenPeriodCleanPeriod, and #PeriodofChange – sustainable period management is trending, and how, today.
The troubling stats on the environmental impact of non-compostable sanitary napkins and tampons – tonnes of which fill landmines across the world – has prompted an online, as well as offline, conversation on greener menstrual solutions.
_{At a period party organised in the city, women promoted sustainable period products}
“Sanitary napkins with non-compostable plastic liners, chemical-based absorbents and non-biodegradable covers cause colossal damage to the environment, as these take hundreds of years to disappear from the earth. Fortunately, when we conducted a survey, we found out that 6 out of 10 women aged 22-40 are saying no to regular sanitary pads and are making a conscious choice of using eco-friendly period products or are at least willing to switch to sustainable products,” says Chandana Bhowmick, an environmental activist from Kolkata, who spearheads the ‘green period management’ campaign.

Here’s what #greenperiods are all about....
Menstrual cups: Not just body-safe but also planet-safe
Menstrual cups, made of silicon, have become one of the most popular hygiene products among young women these days. These save both, money and the planet.
“Menstrual cups are magical. These hold up to 29 ml/6 tsp liquid, hence you just need to empty it out twice a day. A menstrual cup from a good brand can be used for more than eight years and the best thing is that you hardly need any water to clean it. Online tutorials teach you the right way to use them,” says Deepali Chaudhary, a photographer from Pune, who uses cups. “Just one cup can make a huge difference. Even if it lasts for five years, you don’t dispose off pads for 60 months and that is huge,” she adds.

Why choose menstrual cups?
A report by The Lancet Public Health states that one cup produces an estimated 0.4% of the plastic waste that single-use pads build up or 6% of that created by tampons in the span of 10 years.
Cloth pads, disposable napkins and reusable tampons on the rise
“I have been using biodegradable pads since over a year now and love them, because they are made with corn starch and bamboo fibres with no chemical substances. They break down easily and decompose when disposed off. I believe this the best way to do my bit for the environment,” says Renee Shah, a student from Bengaluru.

Diva Diwan who owns a biodegradable sanitary pad brand based in Delhi, says, “These sustainable pads and tampons don’t just decompose, but are also made by recycling plant waste. No trees are cut in the process. So, this way, you hit two birds with one stone.”
How hassle-free are cloth pads?
Deepa Bist, founder of Sakhi, a sustainable cloth pad brand from Udaipur, says, "Cloth pads come in attractive colours and patterns with buttoned-wing flaps that hold onto your panties really well. Almost every cloth pad available in the market has a leak-proof layer as the base. Some even come with two, three and four-fold inserts, depending on your flow. The base can be worn the entire day and the inserts can be changed as and when needed. Many cloth pads have banana or bamboo fibres that are excellent absorbents and can be washed, dried and used over and over again for years on end."

Tampons, sponges, and discs to the rescue
“A period disc is the easiest way to cut down on one’s carbon footprint. And while it isn’t reusable, it holds five times more fluid than regular tampons, which means lesser waste generated,” says Shreya Saxena, a homemaker from Mumbai.
These shallow discs are inserted at the opening of the vaginal canal to absorb the flow. “Environmental-friendly sponges, that are extracted from the sea, are becoming popular once again. They can soak up a lot more blood than tampons and last up to a year,” says Chennai-based Geethika Pillai, who sells period sponges. Ragini Dua, from Delhi, who just switched to sponges recently, says, “Just wet the sponge, and insert it after you’ve squeezed the water from it. These come with a string that needs to be pulled when you want to remove it. They are easy to wash too.”
Organic and sustainable period panties are another sustainable option. “They are leak-proof and you don’t need to use a pad or cup in addition. I bought two pairs three years ago and I’m still using those,” says Shivani Suri, a banker from Pune.