5 eco alternatives to traditional tampons and pads

Having your period isn’t much fun, is it? And there is also still this weird taboo around them, which seems very outdated in today’s society.

Luckily, there are great brands emerging to rid of us the ‘feminine hygiene’ stigma attached to menstruation products. I’ve recently discovered Unfabled, an amazing online store that curates ethical brands for our cycle care.

Unfabled are moving menstruation into the world of wellbeing, where what we use during our periods is about self-care. And, as an added bonus, their products underpin ecological safety, with non-toxic, plastic-free offerings.

To showcase some of these eco-credentials, I’ve rounded up 5 eco alternatives to traditional tampons and pads.

5 eco alternatives to traditional tampons and pads

Reusable Period Pads

These reusable pads, such as those from Wear ’em Out, attach to your undies as a disposable version would. They have wings but with poppers for a secure fit – much better than those nasty stickies! To freshen them up for the next use, you simply rinse with cold water then wash them with your regular laundry at 40°C.

The Wear ’em Out pads are available in different thicknesses to best suit your flow.

Eco-tampons

Before I became more aware of my carbon footprint, I never really thought about the sustainable creds of my tampons. But now I look for those that use organic materials, are biodegradable, and use recyclable packaging. Brands such as FLO are &SISTERS are doing a great job of this.

It’s also important to look for tampons with no synthetic fibres, chemical residues, dyes or fragrances.

If you suffer with painful periods, innovative products such as those from Daye include CBD, helping to alleviate aches and cramps. Such a good idea.

Menstruation cups

Menstruation cups are a great alternative to tampons and many of us even find them more comfortable. They are available in different sizes, with a larger size if you’re over 30 or have given birth.

Made from silicone, you can feel confident in what you are using in your body. They can normally be worn for up to 12 hours – brands such as Saalt promote this.

Period pants

These are another great idea that I wish had been around when I was in my teens. Period pants combine form and function; looking great while aiding comfort and a leak-free period for up to 8 hours. Most brands, such as FLUX, offer different pants for varying flow.

As well as removing the need for disposable products, brands such as FLUX are made from OEKO-Tex certified materials and are free from toxins and chemicals. This is reassurance for the wearer and kinder to the environment.

Like the reusable pads, they should be rinsed with cold water then just washed with a normal load of laundry up to 40°C.

You might be interested in this review of WUKA stretch period pants.

Eco-friendly pads

There may be good reasons for using disposable pads sometimes. Perhaps when you are staying away from home or you’re out of the house for a long time these are a better option. As long as you choose wisely, these can still be an eco-alternative to traditional pads.

Products such as those from TOTM are made from sustainably sourced organic cotton, and have biodegradable packaging including cornstarch biofilm wrapping.

Hopefully this is a handy guide when choosing environmentally friendly period products. Remember to check out Unfabled too, where you can buy all the eco-products in this list, plus much more to support cycle care.