8 Sustainable Period Products To Try Next Month
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Over many decades, used maxi pads, panty liners, and tampons have negatively affected our planet. Studies show that these three period products create an immense amount of waste equal to over 200,000 metric tons per year. (For reference, one metric ton is equivalent to approximately 2,200 pounds.) On average, women will have 450 periods over their lifetime--which equals 3,500 days spent menstruating--resulting in over 11,000 used tampons or pads. That is an enormous amount of waste from just one person.
Keep in mind —the vast majority of period products are made from plastic that is not compostable or biodegradable, leading to an excessive amount of landfills all over our planet. Fortunately, sustainable period products are becoming more well-known with a recent uptick in new sustainable brands that are both affordable and accessible. Periods and menstrual cycles will not cease to exist, so choosing to buy sustainable products now will have lasting effects for generations to come.
As there are so many different options to choose, it's incredibly important to be mindful of which brands you decide to shop from, especially when it comes to ensuring that they are using safe and non-toxic ingredients and chemicals. We’ve made it easier for you! There is at least one sustainable period product below that will suit your comfort, your menstrual needs, and your values.
10 Sustainable Period Products to Try
Rael
“By running collection programs across our community, we work with partners to provide period education, advocate for menstrual dignity, and to distribute essentials to underprivileged women and girls to cultivate a world where all women can access safe period care.”
Rael offers all types of sustainable products, especially for your cycle. They believe that having your period shouldn’t be a difficult experience. Rael's mission is to ensure that every woman can easily access menstrual products and is taking a stand in this movement. On their website, they share how their mission goes beyond selling products: "By running collection programs across our community, we work with partners to provide period education, advocate for menstrual dignity, and to distribute feminine essentials to underprivileged women and girls to cultivate a world where all women can access safe period care.”
Rael offers a whole collection of period products, such as cotton pads and tampons, menstrual cups, panty liners, and cleansing wipes. Each of their products are 100% vegan. They have even created organic beauty products for your skin and their newest product of period underwear. If you decide to purchase a Rael product, you are using a product safer for our planet and joining their movement aiding everyone to have a more simple period. Buy your next box online!
Why we love them: Each of their sustainable period products are highly rated—it simply depends on your preference for pads, tampons, or a cup!
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
The Honey Pot Co.
The Honey Pot Company produces all-natural pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and foaming shower gel. Founder and CEO, Bea Dixon, built the Honey Pot Company in 2014, after living with bacterial vaginosis for months. According to her, her ancestors visited her in a dream, giving her the ingredients for a cure. Dixon states on the website, “If you’re here because your honeypot is unhappy, I’ve been there … I created The Honey Pot Co. to solve what other brands wouldn’t, using the power of herbs.” Every product contains natural ingredients which are kinder to your body, your honeypot, and to the planet. They advocate for an eco-friendly menstrual cycle from beginning to end, including the moments in between, hence their non-toxic, feminine soaps. Their products are very affordable, such as a box of organic pads and tampons starting at $7.99. Their sustainable period products are available online and also at Target.
Why we love them: Black-owned, woman-owned, and easily-accessible, quality period products.
Our Favorites:
Image: Target
Image: Target
Lola
“Clean ingredients. Gynecologist-approved. Made by women, for all.” This is the first thing to read on their website, and this is why they are one of the most popular sustainable menstrual products around. Lola focuses on using clean ingredients without irritating dyes and toxins, with many medical experts confirming their products are worth every penny. Plus, we love their advocacy for female wellness, including how they care about reproductive equity, vaginal health, sexual wellness, pregnancy, and of course, our periods. Choose from organic cotton pads, menstrual cups, lubricant, and anti-itch feminine wash. Even better? Lola continues to donate menstrual products to those in need and has already donated over 6 million products all over the world.
Why we love them: They advocate for reproductive equity throughout their entire product line, and their cotton pads are super-comfortable, light, and non-irritating.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
Dame
DAME is a UK-based company that started in 2015 and the first to create a reusable tampon applicator. This company was built on the premise to reduce plastic as much as possible. So, instead of using 12-20 tampon applicators per period, you only need to use one! The applicator is expected to last 10 years and if you ever need to throw it away before that—know that it is 100% recyclable. Along with their reusable applicator, you can pair it with their 100% cotton tampons.
DAME also creates reusable period pads with wings that are thin, soft, dry, and odorless. This product also comes with a self-cleaning bag that allows you to soak the pads before putting them in the washer with your other clothes. DAME states that switching to their reusable pads “can save over 2,000 plastic disposables.” Since they are UK-based, the best way to try out their products is to purchase through their website as they are now shipping to the United States.
Why we love them: Their innovative, recyclable, and reusable tampon applicator. Not to mention their easy period subscription service!
Our Favorites:
Image: Dame
August
August is a new sustainable period brand that offers recyclable tampons, pads, and panty-liners, all of which are eco-friendly and carbon-free. They offer a subscription service that allows you to "build-your-own" period box with light to super tampons, pads for the daytime and heavy nights, and panty liners for your extra light days. They aim for inclusivity and for low-pricing because quality period care should be accessible to all. Consider building your own August period box today!
Why we love them: Very affordable sustainable menstrual products, ultra comfortable, and extra cool packaging!
Our Favorite:
Image: August
Nixit
Nixit creates a unique menstrual cup that is reusable, BPA-free, and comfortably fits your body. The form of the cup is what makes it most unique. It is wider, more bowl-shaped, and includes a double-rim to prevent any leakage. The coral-colored cup conforms to your body and provides a more flexible fit. Their website has a detailed graphic on how to use and insert this unique menstrual cup. On average, the cup only needs to be changed every 12 hours, which is much less than a tampon or pad. Using Nixit also reduces an immense amount of plastic and lowers your spending, since this menstrual disc can last up to 5 years, making Nixit a sustainable option for the planet and your wallet. In addition to the cup, Nixit also offers cleaning wipes to bring on the go for yourself or the cup!
Why we love them: The uniquely-shaped menstrual cup suits all sizes and some of the heaviest periods!
Our Favorites:
Image: Nixit
Image: Nixit
Cora
Cora offers a full selection of organic period products, including body care items. Their collection includes natural tampons, cups, pads, liners, and even a period balm to ease any uncomfortable cramps. The founder strives for empowerment and menstrual equity. Cora is passionate about periods, so with every purchase, they donate one month’s worth of health education and pads to those in need of all ages in areas that do not have secure access to pads, liners, and tampons.
The founder shares her travel experiences on Cora where she learned young women would have to use newspapers, pieces of an old mattress, tree bark, and even animal dung for their periods. Inevitably, this would lead to other serious health problems due to how unsanitary this was. Cora wants to end that. Again, all of their products are certified organic and safe for your body. They are proudly transparent and list every ingredient for each of their products.
Why we love them: A woman-owned brand that is completely organic and helps make quality menstrual products accessible for all.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
Saalt
Co-Founder and CEO of Saalt, Cherie Hoeger, created this sustainable brand in 2018. As a woman with five daughters, you could say that she has a lot of experience with periods. She helped create Saalt on the premise that period care products should be accessible, after hearing how her family in Venezuela had issues finding menstrual products. Hoeger states on the Saalt website, “My family had gone months without period products … no one should have to experience that.” Saalt continues to focus on producing reusable and high-performing sustainable options. They are known for their menstrual cups that come in different colors and sizes for all types of flows. They are now offering period-absorbing underwear to pair with the cups, to prevent as many leaks as possible. All of their products are “natural, simple, distinct, and elemental,” just like salt.
Why we love them: Of course for their award-winning menstrual cup, but they also offer a wide variety of sustainable menstrual products: discs, period underwear, cotton pads, tampons, along with safe, all-natural vaginal care products.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Image: Amazon
Aisle
““Aisle’s customers and staff include trans and nonbinary people who span the gender spectrum. Our team is committed to building & maintaining an inclusive, affirming, and safe space for all marginalized people seeking better solutions to their everyday and monthly needs.””
Aisle creates fun, reusable, cotton period pads, similarly designed to clothes. The founders, Madeline Shaw & Suzanne Siemens, started this project of developing sustainable and eco-friendly products in 1999, and Aisle has only gone up from there. Their pads come in bright prints and designs, like you’re buying a new pair of comfy pajamas, only 100% earth-friendly. Aisle pads are absorbent, durable, and comfortable. Along with their pads, they sell period-absorbing underwear in four styles: boxer briefs, thongs, hipster, and bikini.
Aisle proudly stands for sustainability. Since they started, they have reversed at least 150,000kg of waste per year by creating these products. They guarantee that all of their period products are ethically sourced and made. According to their website, since 2016, they have been recognized for being in the top 10% of all B Corp rankings globally, which is a distinction they call “Best for the World”—which is an amazing achievement. Aisle is also affordable (one of the less expensive options on this list!).
Aisle has also been a brand that has been at the forefront for inclusion of trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming persons who are often marginalized when discussing periods. Each product is meant to be comfortable, work well, and allow all people with periods to have options.
Why we love them: Fun and reliably designed reusable cotton menstrual pads to include when Aunt Flow visits every month!
Our Favorites:
Image: Aisle
Image: Aisle
Proof
Proof was founded by three sisters that have experienced—like many of us—unwanted leaks from our regular or super-heavy period days, as well as postpartum. Proof’s period underwear comes in all sizes, coverage, styles, and most importantly, absorbency levels, so that you can build a bundle that suits your needs. For many, period underwear is arguably more comfortable than wearing a pad or tampon, so they are worth a try if you have any doubts about mixing them in with your usual period routine.
Why we love them: Leak-proof and super-absorbent reusable period underwear in so many styles—they even come in teen sizes!
Our Favorites:
Image: Proof
Image: Proof
Periods are completely natural, so why not use all-natural products to match? Switching over to sustainable period products is a way to be kinder to both your body and our planet. Plus, you will be using fewer items during each period, saving more money in the long run! (Who doesn’t love that?) This list of sustainable menstrual products is just a starting point, so choose what suits your needs based on comfort, effectiveness, and lifestyle.
