Plastic has permeated our lives, and menstruation is no exception. For those fortunate enough to afford menstrual products, we spend 355 hours buying period products. But how much time do we spend thinking about the environmental impact of pads and tampons once we’ve disposed of it? Very little, we dare say! On average, people menstruate for approximately 40 years in total and bleed for about 5 days a month. That’s 2400 days where period products (e.g. pads) are used (keeping in mind that sanitary products should be changed every few hours/once they have reached their full capacity), so let’s talk about managing your period in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way! 

Single-use period products are the fifth most common waste product that end up on our beaches. From the string on a tampon, to an applicator and even the plastic packaging pads and tampons come individually wrapped in to keep them sanitary, there are many ways that conventional period management products contribute towards the suffering of our planet – but it’s not just that… it includes the suffering of our bodies and budgets as well! 

Period Cup 

It might take some time wrapping your head around a period product that COLLECTS fluid rather than ABSORBS fluid. The perks of using a period cup is that it is able to hold more blood than pads/tampons, reduces bathroom waste, is reusable and is budget friendly! The Hello Cup is made from medical-grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and made sustainably in New Zealand! 

To find your perfect size: 

– Size XS: the smallest, softest cup. It’s the perfect choice for teenagers, petite users or those who prefer a ‘mini’ tampon.⁠ 

– Size S/M: the ‘one size fits most’ menstrual cup. We recommend this size for users under or over 35 – regardless of whether they have had children or not. ⁠ 

How you will save from using period cups: 

The Hello Cup costs $39 and can be re-used for up to 5-10 years before it needs to be replaced. On the other hand, a box of 32 tampons costs $4. The average person changes their tampon every four hours which equals six tampons per day. Multiply 6 tampons by the average cycle of 5 days and that’s 30 tampons per cycle. That means you need ~1 box per month which equates to $48 per year. In five years, you’ll be spending $240 on tampons alone. That’s a $200 saving in 5 years! 

Reusable Liners 

Period products don’t actually need to be made from plastic at all! Reusable Liners/Pads made from fabric are an ideal way to cut down on plastic waste and save money. They’re free from irritating materials (especially helpful if you have sensitive skin), are completely washable and reusable, and they cause no harm to the environment. Hello Liners are made from 100% Indian organic cotton and bamboo fleece and are super absorbent to lock away fluid while you carry on with every day activities. 

How you will save from using reusable liners: 

A pack of three Reusable Liners is $42.50 which are washable, reusable and can last for several years if properly taken care of. On the other hand, a 30-pack of liners costs $3. If the average person changes their liner twice a day during their period (~5 days), that’s 10 liners per period and 120 liners per year. That brings us to 4x 30-pack liners per year, totalling $12/year. In 10 years, you will have spent $120 on single-use liners, whereas with Reusable Liners, you’ll only be spending $42.50 – wow!