In a nutshell, the most eco-friendly period products are ones that are reusable. The most significant drawback of reusables is that their successful use is largely dependent on the user’s access and ability to wash, dry and maintain hygienic practices. In addition, there may be more initial cost. There is also a normal learning curve with these products, and less convenience.

Despite these barriers, there are numerous benefits in transitioning from single-use feminine hygiene products.

Less cost overall

According to the National Organization for Women, the average woman spends about $20 on feminine hygiene products per cycle, adding up to about $18,000 over her lifetime.

Some estimates report that utilizing reusable products instead of single-use can save around $6000 overall. A 2019 study determined the use of a menstrual cup over 10 years would only incur about 5-7% of the cost compared to the use of 12 pads or tampons per period.

Some reusable period products might even be FSA eligible.

As for the cost of either type of product, 21 states still tax period products as “non-essential goods,” meanwhile products like Rogaine and Viagra are considered medical necessities. The Tampon Tax Back Coalition will pay you back the difference on products purchased from participating brands.

Safer

Despite what you might think, reusable period products are not unsanitary. Women who have limited financial resources may understandably resort to purchasing cheaper, poor-quality period products. These materials has been shown to increase risk of urogenital infections including bacterial vaginosis. In contrast, not only have studies shown no increase in infection risk with use of a menstrual cup, some have indicated a decreased infection risk.

In studies that examined the vagina and cervix during follow-up, no mechanical harm was evident from use of a menstrual cup.

Lastly, a recent review of past studies has found that numerous harmful chemicals have been detected in menstrual products. These include substances such as phthalates, volatile organic compounds, parabens, environmental phenols, fragrance chemicals, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. This is especially troublesome as vaginal and vulvar tissue absorbs chemicals very readily.

PFAS, aka forever chemicals, have been found in a variety of feminine hygiene products. Time reported that a series of lab analyses commissioned between 2020 and 2022 by the consumer watchdog site Mamavation and Environmental Health News, 48% of sanitary pads, incontinence pads, and panty liners tested were found to contain PFAS, as were 22% of tampons.

Just as effective

A 2019 study found that leakage was similar or less when using the menstrual cup than when using disposable pads and tampons. In fact, menstrual cups can collect more blood than tampons or sanitary pads.

Less environmental impact

The average menstruating woman disposes of approximately 10,000 feminine products (around 300 pounds worth) during her lifetime. Much of this waste is plastic and not biodegradable, taking hundreds of years to break down. This adds up to approximately 20 billion pads and tampons being thrown away in the United States each year.

The aforementioned study determined that menstrual cup use over 10 years would only amount to 0.4% of the plastic waste compared to the use of 12 pads per period, and 6% of the plastic waste that using 12 tampons per period would create.

Besides the waste aspect, studies have shown that the overall negative environmental impacts of disposable pads and tampons were significantly higher than those of the menstrual cups.

For more, check out National Geographic’s How Tampons and Pads Became so Unsustainable.

Types of reusable period products

This article from Greatist does a thorough job explaining the pros of switching to reusable products, as well as many product recommendations for both reusable and disposable. This CNN article is also a very informative take on switching to zero waste period products.

Menstrual cups

Reusable menstrual pads

Reusable period pads are perfectly safe and effective. The biggest potential issue is the same as for disposable pads: inadequate absorbency can lead to skin irritation and leakage.

Check out Treehugger’s list of best reusable menstrual pads.

Period panties

Menstrual underwear are a simple concept: they are basically underwear containing additional layers/lining for absorption, designed to perform like a reusable menstrual pad. They can last around 2-5 years with good care. There are some key factors to consider when choosing period underwear.

First, period underwear tend to be a bit pricey, around $25-$50 each, so buying several pairs is not the most economical choice, at least at first. Second, these products are generally made from synthetic materials like rayon or nylon, which are fossil fuel-based and not biodegradable. And finally, studies have detected PFAS in 65% of period underwear, including the popular eco-friendly marketed brand Thinx.

There are brands that are made from natural fibers, just do your research when shopping. Read Grove’s Beginner’s Guide to Period Underwear, and Sustainable Jungle’s 9 Sustainable Period Underwear recommendations.

Sea sponges

Many online sources advocate the use of sea sponges as a natural alternative to tampons. According to the New York Times, Healthline, and the FDA, this is NOT a safe practice.

Sea sponges are filter feeders, basically straining ocean water for food. In doing this, they collect whatever is in the water around them (because of this they are great water cleaners in a saltwater tank). Therefore, they potentially contain dirt, debris, yeast, mold, and bacteria, putting you at risk for an infection and toxic-shock syndrome (T.S.S.). Furthermore, their natural texture may cause small scratches inside the body when inserted and removed.

Menstrual sponges, regardless of the material, cannot be adequately cleaned and therefore should be avoided.

Eco-friendly single-use period products

Perhaps you’re not ready to make the transition to reusable menstrual products, or life situations might make single-use products the most feasible option. In that case, there alternatives that are more eco-friendly than the traditional brands.

FDA-cleared tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. The absorbent fibers used in FDA-cleared tampons are made with a bleaching process that is chlorine-free, thus mitigating possible exposure to dioxins, a group of harmful chemicals.

There isn’t currently any data that shows organic pads and tampons are safer than regular products, although organic cotton is more environmentally friendly than conventionally grown cotton. Both types of products can potentially contain harmful ingredients, as previously mentioned. Reading website information and package labels is key.

• Choose products with fewer, simpler ingredients.
• Consider tampons without an applicator for the greenest, safest option. There are reusable applicators available, such as the Dame Reusable Tampon Applicator.
• Look for products that don’t contain plastic, including rayon, polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene.
• Avoid products with fragrance, dyes, or colorants.
• Save cleansing wipes for when you’re on the go. At home use a bidet or washcloth if you need to feel more fresh.

In case you were wondering whether pads or tampons are the most eco-friendly choice, there is an answer. A 2006 analysis indicated that pads have a higher negative environmental footprint in almost all aspects when compared to tampons, although tampons have high environmental impacts from chemicals required in the agriculture process. 

Popular eco-friendly period product brands

Natracare

Organyc

Organyc is a very close second for me. Their products are made using geothermal and natural energy. Feminine care products are made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and both the products and packaging are 100% biodegradable.

Tampons and pads are free of chlorine bleach, latex, parabens, perfumes, SAP, plastics, or man-made materials. They are certified by Made Safe, and two independent clinical studies showed that Organyc products prevented and resolved skin irritation.

Purchase Organyc on Amazon.

Lola

According to their website, Lola’s products are always made without synthetic fibers, fragrance, chlorine bleach, chemical additives, or dyes.

Pad ingredients are 100% organic cotton (topsheet and core), plant-based bioplastic (backsheet), and non-toxic adhesives. Tampons are also composed of 100% organic cotton.

Cons:

• Cardboard tampon applicator is made with virgin fibers.
• Non-applicator tampons are packaged in plastic.

Purchase Lola on Amazon.

Cora

Cora is a certified B corp that’s products are made with fragrance-free 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. There are two options of tampons: one without an applicator and one with a 92% plant-based, sugarcane-derived applicator.

Cons:

• Tampon string is coated with paraffin, which is fossil fuel-based, for water repellancy.
• Non-applicator tampons are packaged in plastic.
• Pads and liners are not vegan.
• Although pad topsheets are made with organic cotton, the wings and adhesive side contain polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester.

Find Cora products on Amazon.

Rael

Rael products are vegan and made with certified organic cotton.

Cons:

• Not much transparency on chemicals used, just vague terms like “non-toxic”; website simply states, “Rael strives to use as many clean ingredients as possible.”
• No applicator-free tampon option
• Pads contain polyethylene & polypropylene

Purchase Rael on Amazon.

Eco by Naty

Tampons are certified 100% organic cotton wrapped in paper; pads are plant-based and 100% TUV Austria certified compostable.

Purchase Eco by Naty on Amazon.

How to dispose of period products

Unfortunately, most reusable and disposable period products ultimately have the same fate: the landfill.

Menstrual cup disposal

In general, menstrual cups are not recyclable except for one brand: Diva. They partner with Terracycle to recycle menstrual cups that have reached the end of their life. Any other worn out cups should be discarded in the trash.

Reusable menstrual pad & period underwear disposal

If made from 100% natural fibers such as cotton, reusable pads and period panties could be cut up into small pieces and composted.

For pads and underwear containing synthetic materials, they can be washed and then recycled with other textile recycling. Thinx recommends cutting the absorbent gusset layer from your washed period panties before recycling. Click here to learn how to recycle textiles.

Single-use pad and tampon disposal

Do NOT flush any sanitary products down the toilet. They do not break down like toilet paper does and are prone to cause clogs. In addition, one study estimated about 12.5% of flushed period products escape water treatment and end up in the ocean or other waterways.

Instead, wrap pads and tampons in a bit of toilet paper and toss them in the trash, or use a compostable disposal bag like Sirona Personal Disposal Bags when you’re on the go.

Recycle cardboard packaging. Plastic wrappers and applicators need to be thrown away.

If you are using a 100% plastic-free product pad or tampon like Natracare, they are actually compostable, although they can take up to 18-24 months to fully break down. If you’re up to the task, mix them with the rest of your compost (they count as ‘brown’ compost). It’s a good idea to have a contained compost bin to keep out vermin. Learn more about composting here.