It’s time to think about the carbon footprint of your menstrual products
The plastic in tampons can contribute to a huge amount of waste
Every year, the UK marks Earth Day, which is a national celebration of the planet, one that is increasingly becoming more about finding ways to be kinder to it.
In other words, it’s about examining our own habits and trying to make small changes that will make our lives more sustainable.
For women, one of the biggest ways we can decrease our carbon footprint is through our choice of menstrual products. Yes, really.
Think about all of the plastic that is used to package tampons, whether it’s the casing or the box itself.
Did you know that tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners contribute to more than 200,000 tonnes of landfill waste each year?
Or that more than 1.5 billion menstrual items are flushed down the toilet each year in the UK alone?
The good news is that there are sustainable menstrual products out there: you just need to know where to look.
Not convinced? Start by working out how much waste your non-reusable menstrual products are creating by using INTIMINA’s Greentimina Calculator.
The tool is designed to calculate the amount of waste a person produces while using non-reusable period products during their active menstruating years.
For the record, the average woman used 11,000 disposable menstrual products during their lifetime, and more often than not, they’re not disposed of in a sustainable way.
And that’s just the environmental side of things. Have you ever worked out how much money you spend each year buying tampons and pads?
Data from INTIMINA has found that the average woman will spend $731 for pads in a decade, or $512 for tampons.
All things considered, it’s no wonder that why more women are turning to menstrual cups: a cheaper and more sustainable menstrual product.
A single menstrual cup can cost just $25, last 10 years and create no waste. When you compare that to the financial and environmental impact of pads and tampons, it truly is a no brainer.
INTIMINA offers two different types of menstrual cups, depending on your needs.
Lily Cup Compact, £24.99
The Lily Cup Compact is the world's first collapsible menstrual cup, making it ideal for stashing in your handbag on your way to work.
It’s made from 100 per cent medical grade silicone that means it’s easy to use and doesn’t contain any of the pesticides, fragrances, rayon, bleached cotton, or dioxins that pads and tampons can.
Like with all menstrual cups, you can leave it inside you for eight hours at a time, meaning you can say goodbye to those frequent trips to the toilet with tampons tucked up your sleeves.
Ziggy Cup, £34.99
If that doesn’t sound quite right for you, consider the Ziggy Cup, which looks like a flexible half-circle instead of a cone.
The USP for the Ziggy Cup is that it has an extra thick ridge, which means you can actually wear it while having sex and not notice any blood coming out. Seriously.
Say goodbye to messy period sex - this is the future. But do remember that menstrual cups are not an alternative to contraception, so you will still need to practice safe sex for protection from STIs and birth control.
Pink Amore Bundle, £80.89
If you can’t pick just one, make the most of the Pink Amore bundle, which includes a Lily Cup Compact, Ziggy Cup, and a Feminine Moisturizer, all for just £80.89, meaning you can save some pennies for something else.
You can also enjoy free shipping by purchasing one of the bundles.
Now you know, go forth and enjoy a greener, cheaper - and possible less messy - menstrual cycle.
Head to INTIMINA.com to explore more information and to trial the Greentimina Calculator.