Sustainable Periods: A Better Period for You, Your Community, & the Earth
What Does "Sustainable Periods" Mean?
“Sustainable periods” refers to menstrual care that takes into account personal health, community well-being, and environmental sustainability, minimizing the use of harmful, single-use materials.
Why it matters in India:
Sustainable and accessible menstrual hygiene products remain one of the biggest challenges to education level for girls worldwide. Estimated 130 million schoolgirls are missing class regularly.www.realreliefindia.com
India is a country straddled with period poverty and stigma and is decades behind the rest of the world in variety of products available.
Sustainable options provide further benefits; reusable menstrual cups and cloth pads not only reduce plastic, but also cost, while empowering communities.
(Try this Quiz - How Eco-Friendly Is Your Period? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dG5XLz5T-5eFrfbbF8p_-NB34YEncn0CU4Pr9NPpJU0/edit )
The Environmental Toll of Disposable Menstrual Products
A Plastic-Laden Legacy
A menstruator’s lifetime usage of single-use pads and tampons is estimated to be between 10,000 to 15,000 pieces. The used products not only contain plastic, but also take 500 to 800 years to decompose and leach microplastics into the ocean.
In India, there are biodegradable sanitary pads made from bamboo, banana fibers, and corn starch. But quality control is a major concern.
Institutional Impact
Flushed sanitary products create broken plumbing systems which result in microplastic pollution and dispersed singular plastic in water bodies.
Manual soiled waste picking comes with its own set of dangers—figuratively and literally, protected from the outside world faced with hygienically hostile environments filled with hazardous waste.
Health Risks of Conventional Period Products
Aside from environmental concerns, health issues are also linked with the use conventional period products,many single-use products pose risks to human health:
The use of synthetic fibers, bleaches, pesticides, and fragrances can disrupt the vaginal microflora, leading to rashes, inflammation, and infections of the skin.
Chemicals may freely cross the vagina barrier and can be more harmful than oral intake since the absorption rate is 15 times greater.
4 Powerful Benefits of Switching to Reusable Period Products
1. Menstrual Cups
Cups composed of medical grade silicone are worn to collect menstrual flow, not absorb it. They can last between 5 to 10 years.
Studies conducted in India, the United States, and France showed that menstrual cups have the lowest environmental impact when compared to other period products. These findings were confirmed in a later study where period underwear was shown to have a lower footprint than non-organic pads.
Cups provide better protection from harmful bacteria than pads.
Possible risks include:
IUDs becoming dislodged; a few documented cases exist, but further study is warranted.
A very low incidence of TSS associated with the use of menstrual cups, similar to the risk associated with condoms and far lower than with tampons.
2. Reusable Cloth Pads
Eco Femme from Tamil Nadu produces GOTS certified pads made with organic cotton, bamboo, fleece, or hemp which can last 3 to 5 years. This prevents over 75 million disposables from ending up in landfills.
Cloth pads can retain the same amount of fluid as conventional pads and feature snaps or wings for secure attachment. realreliefindia.com/products/Safepad%E2%84%A2-standard-pack
3. Period Underwear
They resemble ordinary underwear, but they contain absorbent multi-layered fabric within.
Lining up closely with cups in their environmental advantages.
Best suited to users who find insertion-based devices difficult to use or uncomfortable. realreliefindia.com/products/safepanty%E2%84%A2-high-waist
4. Plant Based Tampons and Liners
Released on the Indian and international markets are organic cotton tampons offered without plastic applicators.
These compostable tampons are able to diminish waste by 25% in comparison to their plastic counterparts.
Cost-benefit Analsysis: Beyond Price Tags
Product Avg. Life Equivalent Disposable Cost Environmental Impact
Menstrual Cup 5-10 years ₹10,000-15,000 Very low
Cloth Pads 3-5 years ₹4,000-7,000 Low
Period Underwear 1-2 years ₹4,500-6,000 Low
In relation to convenience, upfront investment may seem expensive, but these products will quickly pay for themselves. This is especially relevant when discussing period poverty.
(Try this Quiz - Reusable vs Disposable https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11zrfvs7mzLUMLC1NlYK8kLIM105xRUpCVIlxmxljLtQ/preview?edit_requested=true )
Adoption Hurdles in India
1) Stigma and Lack of Information
75% of girls are unaware of menstruation before it occurs, and 75% are at risk of infection due to poor hygiene products. .https://www.realreliefindia.com
These social norms alongside a prohibition on male teachers access to schools contribute to a lack of information.
2) Inaccessibility due to Economic Constraints
This region suffers from a lack of purchasing power.
3) Medical and Physical Issues
Women suffering from vaginismus, low cervix, dysphoria, and those who had IUDs, or are fearful of radiation may find menstrual cups painful or not usable.
4) Cultural & Social Restrictions
Due to lack of cloth pads supply, many rural girls rely on menstrual cups despite their price.
Productivity expectation makes cleaning reusable cloth pads strenuous.
Productivity expectation makes cleaning reusable cloth pads strenuous.
Towards More Inclusive & Sustainable Periods
1. Choice-Centered Advocacy
Campaigns must avoid any sorts of shaming such as “if it’s not for you, it’s valid to choose something else.”
Create options for people with disabilities, trauma, or restricted mobility ensuring that the options do not require intrusive interaction.
2. Education & Body Literacy
Menstruation must be taught and included in the curriculum before a students graduation, for all genders. .https://www.realreliefindia.com
In collaboration with other organizations, Myna Mahila Foundation, Rutuchakra, Eco Femme, and Humans For Humanity have put forth workshops and made supplies available throughout India.
3. Local Manufacturing And Enterprises
Encourage rural women to start businesses by making cloth pads or running laundries; this increases income and reduces waste.
For instance, Eco Femme in Auroville employs rural women to manufacture and sell pads.
4. Systematic Approach to Period Poverty
Offer free or subsidised reusable products in schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities. CSUSM's Cup Program is a commendable example.
Provide public restrooms with sustainable dispensers and sanitary disposal bins.
5. Claims About Environmental Impact
Publish water and energy consumption for washing and boiling as part of the life-cycle assessment.
Standards for labeling aid in providing clear information to consumers, helping them make responsible choices.
Real Relief India: Leading the Way
Real Relief’s mission integrates the global south with India through the production and distribution of Safepad and Safepanty, which are infused with antimicrobial, chemical-free, non-tearable, lifespan fabrics. Over 10 million pads have been distributed, but more work is needed. www.realreliefindia.com
Real Relief could implement the following strategies:
Develop outreach programs through schools and NGOs focusing on menstrual product education.
Establish micro-manufacturing units to provide income and accessibility in the rural regions.
Subsidized packs and pay-it-forward programs akin to India’s Pad Man Mobiles or UK’s Aunt Flow free-vend scheme.
Collaborative workshops for local distribution with Myna Mahila, Eco Femme, Rutuchakra, Orikalankini, and others.
A Vision For The Future
Normalize & Normalize
Sustainable periods require active normalization—the work begins now and continues indefinitely.
Policy & Public Spaces
Reusable menstrual products and infrastructure for menstruation-friendly facilities need to be included in government hygiene programs.
Mandatory installation of sanitary disposal bins in schools and workplaces.
Research & Innovation
Fund eco-impact studies focused on the water usage of reusable products.
Invest in soft cups and leak-proof heat underwear (i.e., MIMA innovation) low-barrier reusables.
Conclusion: Empowerment Through Choice
Sustainable periods are not achieved through mandates but rather through respecting individual autonomy, comfort, and circumstances.
The concept of environmental sustainability does not need to be approached with guilt; products gain value when chosen voluntarily.
(Try this Quiz - How Eco-Friendly Is Your Period? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dG5XLz5T-5eFrfbbF8p_-NB34YEncn0CU4Pr9NPpJU0/edit )