A Planet-Friendly Change
Times of Bennett | Updated: Mar 28, 2023 12:39
By Yashvi Goel
With the growing awareness towards menstrual cycle and its precautions,sanitary pads or sanitary napkins have become an essential item for many women during their periods. With a long absorbent material, a sanitary pad allows women to have a carefree day. However, what many people may not know is that the production, usage, and disposal of a single sanitary pad can have a significant impact on the environment. According to a survey done by the Menstrual Health Alliance, India , just like plastic bags, one sanitary napkin can also take about 500-800 years to get decompose, having a negative impact on the environment. Also using a sanitary pad for too long can lead to a yeast infection which can damage women’s internal organs.
So, is there any other alternative for the same? What can be done to reduce the hazardous impacts ofsanitary pads on a human body and on the planet? Well one of the best solutions is to jump on the alternative solutions during the periods. One such alternative is the menstrual cups . But is it environment friendly?
A menstrual cup is a small, bell-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina to collect the menstrual fluid. Being made with the medical- graded silicon, they are totally safe and reusable for the human body and with a proper care they can last up to 10 years, which is pocket friendly in long run and reduce the waste generated from the sanitary pads, which would otherwise end up in oceans and landfills destroying the planet. A menstrual cup can replace more than 2000 sanitary pads, which save a lot of resources such as water, raw material, and electricity. According to a study by the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden,menstrual cups have a much lower environmental impact than that of a disposed pad. According to the research, producing one menstrual cup is only about 0.4% environmental impact than that of producing a sanitary pad.
Using a sanitary pad or tampon is completely a woman’s choice, but is the choice correct and good for the environment or for her own health? By using a menstrual cup, you can reduce waste, save resources and your own health by saving the planet and money as well.
With the growing awareness towards menstrual cycle and its precautions,
So, is there any other alternative for the same? What can be done to reduce the hazardous impacts of
A menstrual cup is a small, bell-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina to collect the menstrual fluid. Being made with the medical- graded silicon, they are totally safe and reusable for the human body and with a proper care they can last up to 10 years, which is pocket friendly in long run and reduce the waste generated from the sanitary pads, which would otherwise end up in oceans and landfills destroying the planet. A menstrual cup can replace more than 2000 sanitary pads, which save a lot of resources such as water, raw material, and electricity. According to a study by the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden,
Using a sanitary pad or tampon is completely a woman’s choice, but is the choice correct and good for the environment or for her own health? By using a menstrual cup, you can reduce waste, save resources and your own health by saving the planet and money as well.
