Here’s why we need to talk about green menstruation

The world is slipping into the hands of climate change quite drastically. Every year we see that climate change conditions are getting worse, be it the forest fires or the shooking life droughts; climate change is worsening the living conditions of various species across the planet.

The elephant in the room: Menstruation waste

When the world speaks about solving the climate change crisis, they discuss eradicating one-time-use plastic and other harmful substances, which are poison to mother nature. However, there exists an elephant in the room: It is menstruation waste.

Sanitary napkins, tampons and other menstrual items consist of vast loads of plastic, unignored in the discussions for reducing plastic waste. Women use a sanitary pad for about four to eight hours, but unfortunately, each pad takes years to disintegrate.

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The evolution of plastic problem in menstruation items

The issue of plastic waste was not this worse when initially menstruation items were produced. However, later in the 1960s, plastic became the primary component of menstruation items. And, since then, plastic usage in all such items has been on the rise; thus, more detrimental effects on the environment because of the same.

It is astonishing that at present, about 90% of the components of a sanitary napkin consist of plastic. But unfortunately, period products are not given much significance when the policies for reducing one-time plastic are being made.

One of the most prominent reasons is the widespread taboo against menstruation and its related subjects. Because of the taboo, periods are not discussed much efficiently in public circles; this removes the limelight from the plastic waste that menstruation causes.

Apart from plastic, various other harmful chemicals are also used while manufacturing menstruation products. Most of these chemicals are harmful to the environment and the ecosystem. Statistically speaking: one package of sanitary pads is equivalent to four plastic bags.

Imag source: © Chernetskaya | Megapixl.com

The plastic epidemic and the gloomy future

Another significant problem regards the disposal of used sanitary items. Most times, the used products are covered in another plastic bag, which is usually one-time-use plastic, especially in third world countries, thus worsening the plastic epidemic.

Several reports have indicated that plastic pollution would be heavily impacting the environment. By 2040, about 1.3 billion tons of plastic waste will be accumulated on the planet. The condition can only improve if adequate measures to combat the plastic waste crisis are taken with time.

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The safe sail

Experts suggest the next two decades are crucial if the world wants to safeguard itself from the catastrophic effects of the plastic epidemic. However, people are becoming more aware of climate change waste and how menstruation worsens the plastic epidemic.

Women are becoming more cautious of their carbon footprint; parents are becoming more open-minded regarding talking about periods. These impact women’s decisions ever since their early stages. As a result, they make wise decisions as to which period product they should prefer in longevity.

The most common substitute for pads and tampons is the menstrual cup. A menstrual cup is reusable; it absorbs the blood, supposed to be densely cleaned after every usage. It can be used for about 12 hours straight, and women can use each menstrual cup for a couple of years.

Another good option is reusable menstrual pads. They are produced mainly from organic components, which are reusable for years. This way, they help in reducing plastic waste. 

If one compares the plastic waste produced from using pads to plastic waste produced using menstrual cups and related products, the difference in total waste would be immense in the long run. Thus, each female can make a lot of impact on reducing plastic pollution worldwide if they become more aware of menstrual cups and related products.

Bottom line

Plastic waste is a rising problem to the safe living of hundreds of species. It’s a concern that plastic waste produced by menstrual products is not discussed with much attention in public and social forums. Thus, there is a high need for green menstruation to save the planet from one of the most significant climate destructing problems.