Plastic-free periods and tips for plastic-free living

What made you switch to a menstrual cup? Was it the convenience (same here), the cost savings, or the health and environmental benefits? Whatever your reason, trash-free periods are possible and they’re better for your body, your wallet, and the planet.

Reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups, period-proof underwear have come a long way since our grandparents’ day. Today, we have smart, sustainable options that make plastic-free periods not just achievable, but empowering.

Why go plastic-free with your period?

If half the population menstruates for around 40 years, that’s a staggering amount of waste. The average menstruator uses 11,000–17,000 disposable products in their lifetime roughly 150 kg of waste per person.

And here’s the kicker:

• Around 90% of a standard pad is plastic
• It can take up to 500 years to break down
• Modern landfill conditions often preserve waste due to lack of oxygen
• More plastic was produced in the last 10 years than in the entire previous century

Switching to reusable menstrual products helps reduce this impact dramatically. A single menstrual cup can replace 2,400+ tampons, saving waste and money.

Health benefits of plastic-free period care

Disposable pads and tampons often contain:

• Dioxins from chlorine bleaching
• BPA and phthalates, linked to hormone disruption
• Synthetic fibers and fragrances, which can cause irritation and infections

Menstrual cups, on the other hand, are made from medical-grade silicone - hypoallergenic, toxin-free, durable, and completely safe for vaginal tissue.

How else can you reduce plastic in daily life?

Periods are just the beginning. Here are simple swaps to help you live more sustainably:

Groceries

• Avoid plastic-wrapped produce;
• Bring reusable produce bags;
• Shop at local farmers markets.

Hydration

• Invest in a stainless steel water bottle;
• Avoid single-use plastic bottles that can leach BPA.

Coffee

• Bring your own reusable coffee cup;
• Forgot it? Ask for no lid or grab a mug from your office kitchenette.

Shopping

• Keep reusable bags in your car or purse;
• Make a no-sew tote from an old t-shirt;
• Ask for cardboard boxes at checkout.

Fashion & home

• Visit thrift stores for clothes, toys, and home goods;
• Donate instead of tossing unwanted items.

Easy swaps for a plastic-free lifestyle

Disposable Item	Sustainable swap
Pads & liners	Reusable cloth pads or period underwear
Tampons	Period cups
Plastic food wraps	Beeswax wraps
Shampoo bottles	Solid shampoo bars
Plastic toothbrush	Bamboo toothbrush
Plastic straws	Glass or metal straws
Disposable nappies	Reusable cloth nappies
Milk cartons	Glass bottles with deposit scheme

 

Reducing plastic is a journey - not a race. Start with what’s achievable, build habits, and expand from there. Every swap counts, and every choice helps protect our planet.

photo: courtesy of Pinterest