Periods are one of the least enjoyable things to spend money on, yet according to charity Bloody Good Period the average woman spends £4800 across her lifetime! That’s an awful lot of money to spend on single use items and results in each of us sending around 12,000 tampons to landfill. Laid end to end they would stretch for 720 metres, not too far off the height of the world’s tallest building. Happily, thanks to heightened awareness around plastic pollution environmentally friendly options are on the rise. Reusable sanitary products provide sustainable ways to manage your period, while saving you money too. Here are three great zero waste products you should invest in!
Disclosure – Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Amazon and THINX products from which I may earn a small commission.
Overview
1) Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are made of silicone and act as a zero waste alternative to tampons. They are one of the oldest reusable sanitary products on the market as they’ve been around for over 30 years! Resembling an egg cup, they’re worn internally to collect (rather than absorb) your menstrual flow. In order to put it in you need to first pinch and fold, before inserting it into your vagina where it should automatically unfold and create a seaI. You can then wear it for 4-12 hours. To remove it you pinch the base of the cup to release the seal. It can then be removed and rinsed before reinserting. At the end of your cycle you can sterilise the cup in boiling water ready for next time.
I have a Mooncup type B which I use overnight, on weekends and when I’m working from home. For those of you who have had children you can also get a Mooncup type A. My mooncup is easy to insert, rarely leaks and I’ve never had any problems with it feeling uncomfortable. I’ve also discovered some unexpected bonuses, such as fewer stomach cramps and shorter periods. I find it quite messy to remove so I don’t wear it when I only have access to public bathrooms, but as I work from home it still gets plenty of use. There are a whole range of zero waste menstrual cups now on the market and they typically cost between £12-£25. This initial investment may seem pricey but they’re designed to last up to 10 years!
Cost Saving: Approx. £275 over 5 years
2) Reusable Pads
Lots of companies are now selling washable pads and you can even buy them on Etsy! One of the biggest brands is ‘Bloom & Nora’ whose parent company (Tots Bots) specialise in reusable nappies.
Bloom & Nora’s bamboo fleece pads come in mini, midi, maxi and mighty sizes. You can buy trial packs to see which works for you best. The pads are available in two colour ranges: ‘Bloomers’ which are colourful and ‘Nora’ which are white. I bought a pack of three midi sized Bloomers for £16.49 to see how I got on. The midi pads are really comfortable and have been great for medium flow days. I’d look to invest in the larger sizes if I wanted to use them for the whole of my period. I typically use a mooncup on heavier days and the pads been handy for providing extra reassurance in case it were ever to leak.
To wear the pads you simply lay them on your underwear and use the poppers to secure them in place around the gusset. Once you’ve finished with the pad you need to give it a quick rinse in cold water. You’ll then need to keep it from drying out before you pop it in the washing machine – I store mine in an old ice-cream tub container. If you live in a shared house I’ve recommend washing them in a Lakeland lingerie bag to avoid any awkward questions!
If you also wear panty liners you may wish to invest in zero waste versions of those too. I’ve been very happy with this selection from Amazon which are available in both bright white and bold colours.
Cost Saving: Approx. £290 over 5 years
3) Period Underwear
For those who are keen to take reusable sanitary products one step further, it’s even possible to buy period underwear. These knickers look normal on the outside but absorb your menstrual flow with no trace. They are sold by THINX who are based in the United States. They have fantastic reviews and a lot of women swear by them. The underwear can be worn on its own or with other reusable sanitary products for extra protection.
THINX’s period panties are priced around £20-£35 and they have a range of briefs, thongs and boyshorts. If you live in London they’re available to buy at Selfridges on Oxford Street. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to order online from the US, THINX currently offer free shipping on the first order if you spend around £80. You can also save up to 20% when creating a set for your cycle. Do bear in mind that when buying anything worth over £15 from abroad there’s a chance you will be charged VAT on arrival.
You can save an extra £8 on your first order with this referral link!
Cost Saving: Approx. £180 over 5 years
Whether you’re looking to help the environment or save a few pennies, there are a whole range of reusable sanitary products available to cut the cost of your period.
Will you be switching to reusable sanitary products? Let me know in the comments!
