MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Why Are The Royals Split Into ‘The Firm’ And ‘The Institution’? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Why Are The Royals Split Into ‘The Firm’ And ‘The Institution’? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

NSW Announces It Will Run A Trial Of Free Sanitary Products In Public Schools

NSW Announces It Will Run A Trial Of Free Sanitary Products In Public Schools

Emma Corrin Signs On To New Romance Film, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'

Emma Corrin Signs On To New Romance Film, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'

All The 2021 Critics Choice Red Carpet Looks You Missed

All The 2021 Critics Choice Red Carpet Looks You Missed

{headline}

{headline}

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Grab The Tissues, A New, Heartwarming Photo From Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Maternity Shoot Is Here

Grab The Tissues, A New, Heartwarming Photo From Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Maternity Shoot Is Here

The Best Reactions To Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Groundbreaking Oprah Interview

The Best Reactions To Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Groundbreaking Oprah Interview

{headline}

{headline}

The Biggest Revelations From Meghan And Harry's Oprah Interview

The Biggest Revelations From Meghan And Harry's Oprah Interview

Celebrities Are Rallying Around And Publicly Defending Meghan Markle Following Bullying Allegations

Celebrities Are Rallying Around And Publicly Defending Meghan Markle Following Bullying Allegations

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Is Sparking Comparisons To Wallis Simpson

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Is Sparking Comparisons To Wallis Simpson

Meghan Markle Said The Palace Had Concerns About Archie's Skin Colour

Meghan Markle Said The Palace Had Concerns About Archie's Skin Colour

Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Announce They're Having A Baby Girl

Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Announce They're Having A Baby Girl

Best-Selling Book ‘Detransition, Baby’ Is Officially Getting The TV Treatment

Best-Selling Book ‘Detransition, Baby’ Is Officially Getting The TV Treatment

The Final Book In The 'Fifty Shades' Spinoff Series Officially Has A Release Date

The Final Book In The 'Fifty Shades' Spinoff Series Officially Has A Release Date

  1. Home
  2. Beauty

How To Make Your Period More Sustainable

The clever and eco-friendly options you need to know about - by Samantha McMeekin
  • 16 Jun 2020
How To Make Your Period More Sustainable

Having so many sanitary options when it comes to our periods is a privilege many Australian women take for granted.

But with this privilege comes choice, and the power to reduce the waste produced by disposable menstrual items.

According to ABC News, the average Australian woman uses 10,000-12,000 pads or tampons in a lifetime. And because the majority of sanitary products sold in Australia contain plastic, this equates to approximately 120kg of waste per person that comes to float in our oceans or is left in our landfill.

It’s not a pretty stat, but it’s one that can certainly be altered by our habits.

Just as we look to create more eco-friendly beauty routines, and choose brands with sustainable options, so too can our sanitary purchasing decisions have an impact.

Plastic-free and biodegradable disposables

An easy swap to make is to look for tampons and pads that are biodegradable and limit the amount of plastic in packaging. 

In the UK and US, it’s the more common plastic applicators that pose a big problem, as plastic can take over 500 years to break down. 

In comparison, Lotus Eco’s biodegradable tampons take 180 days to break down, and are compostable too. 

lotus eco tampons

Lotus Eco Regular Tampons 15 Pack, $12 at lotus.eco

Menstrual cups

An even greener way to go is menstrual cups. 

Made of a bendy silicone, these reusable contraptions eliminate disposable waste almost entirely, and are long-lasting when taken care of.

The eco-friendly solution collects blood rather than absorbs it, so it can be emptied, washed and reused.

It can take a little bit of getting used to but has the bonus of being cost-effective too.

diva cup

The DivaCup Menstrual Cup, $53.95 at chemistwarehouse.com.au

Menstrual discs

Menstrual discs are similar to menstrual cups, the main difference being the shape and where they sit once inserted.

Menstrual discs are shallower in design and sit higher in the vaginal canal, so that sex is still possible while it’s in place.

Both reusable menstrual discs and cups can typically be worn for up to 12 hours.

ziggy cup

INTIMINA Ziggy Cup, $59.95 at intimina.com

Period underwear

If you’ve preferred pads for years, period underwear allows for similar comfort and ease, without the waste.

Good quality period underwear will look and feel quite similar to a regular pair, but has an absorbent lining to prevent leaks, smells and moisture. 

You won’t feel wet, or like you’re wearing a nappy - in fact Modibodi’s lining is only 3mm thick but can still hold up to four tampons worth of liquid.

They just require a cold wash for care and should be hung dry, ready for use again. And with proper care, one pair can last up to two years.

modibodi

Modibodi Classic Bikini Moisture Wicking, $23.50 at modibodi.com

Reusable pads

There’s also the option of reusable cloth pads. These are typically made from a soft cotton, which can feel more comfortable and gentle than its traditional counterpart.

They adhere to your underwear using similar technology to non-slip socks, with silicone grip dots that grasp to material.

Machine washable, once clean and dry the pads can be reused, although stain removal can be a slight drawback (but a non-issue for Napisan wizards!).

hannah pads

hannah:PAD Fresh Starter Kit, $71.85 at hannahpad.com.au

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Why Are The Royals Split Into ‘The Firm’ And ‘The Institution’? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Why Are The Royals Split Into ‘The Firm’ And ‘The Institution’? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

NSW Announces It Will Run A Trial Of Free Sanitary Products In Public Schools

NSW Announces It Will Run A Trial Of Free Sanitary Products In Public Schools

Emma Corrin Signs On To New Romance Film, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'

Emma Corrin Signs On To New Romance Film, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'

All The 2021 Critics Choice Red Carpet Looks You Missed

All The 2021 Critics Choice Red Carpet Looks You Missed

{headline}

{headline}

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Grab The Tissues, A New, Heartwarming Photo From Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Maternity Shoot Is Here

Grab The Tissues, A New, Heartwarming Photo From Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Maternity Shoot Is Here

The Best Reactions To Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Groundbreaking Oprah Interview

The Best Reactions To Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Groundbreaking Oprah Interview

{headline}

{headline}

The Biggest Revelations From Meghan And Harry's Oprah Interview

The Biggest Revelations From Meghan And Harry's Oprah Interview

Celebrities Are Rallying Around And Publicly Defending Meghan Markle Following Bullying Allegations

Celebrities Are Rallying Around And Publicly Defending Meghan Markle Following Bullying Allegations

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Is Sparking Comparisons To Wallis Simpson

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Is Sparking Comparisons To Wallis Simpson

Meghan Markle Said The Palace Had Concerns About Archie's Skin Colour

Meghan Markle Said The Palace Had Concerns About Archie's Skin Colour

Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Announce They're Having A Baby Girl

Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Announce They're Having A Baby Girl

Best-Selling Book ‘Detransition, Baby’ Is Officially Getting The TV Treatment

Best-Selling Book ‘Detransition, Baby’ Is Officially Getting The TV Treatment

The Final Book In The 'Fifty Shades' Spinoff Series Officially Has A Release Date

The Final Book In The 'Fifty Shades' Spinoff Series Officially Has A Release Date

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe & receive a gift from Go-To Skincare