As Part 2 of my Menstrual Hygiene series, I want to share with you some tips and tricks to make your flow more sustainable.

Periods can generate A LOT of waste. If you’re using single use products such as tampons and pads the product itself is considered biohazardous waste. When you consider the applicator, the wrapping, the box or exterior wrapping, the additional toilet paper you’ll inevitably use, and the little public washroom disposal bags - it all adds up. So here are a few ways for you to make your time of the month a little more eco-friendly.

In the US, people spend upward of 2 Billion dollars on menstrual products. The average menstruating person will use 17,000 tampons or pads in their lifetime. That’s a lot of waste – I did the math on my 40 pack of tampons and that’s 425 boxes or close to $3,500 just in tampons.

Skip to where you’re at on the sustainability scale and let’s talk options to move one step closer to zero waste. Or take a full read through, you might find information to share with your friends on their own sustainability journey.

Option 1: Standard Disposable Tampons, Pads, and/or Liners

If this is where you’re at, then you have tons of options to reduce your waste. Here are some first steps:

Opt for a tampon without an applicator (I used o.b. - available at your local drug store)
Pick something that comes in a cardboard box instead of a plastic wrap
Avoid pads or liners that have unnecessary individual wrapping

If you’re a tampon user who suffers from cramping: use a smaller one so you’re removing it more often. The more often you remove old blood from your body, the more your body will relax. Yes it's more wasteful and less convenient to change it every 2-4 hours instead of 6-8, but from my experience, it's worth it. For more tips on cramp relief check out Part 1.

Option 2: Organic Disposable Tampons, Pads, and/or Liners

Certified organic products (please do look for a certification) have fewer harmful chemicals (namely pesticides and chlorine). This is extremely important because the skin/lining touching the pad, liner and tampon is extremely absorbent.

Joni is a Canadian company making organic bamboo (multiple certifications), hypoallergenic and antibacterial pads. An added bonus: the packaging is BPI certified biodegradable. They also have an initiative called "get-joni-give-joni" providing joni pads to Canadians that can’t afford them.

A Canadian company called easy sells organic cotton tampons with cardboard applicators. They even have a subscription program that ships right to your door.

Option 3: Menstrual Disc

Most menstrual discs are disposable. The advantage of the menstrual disc is the health benefits over tampons.

The disc is like a menstrual cup in that it’s inserted in the vagina but the placement is different completely different from a menstrual cup or tampon. A menstrual disc placement can be a little tricky but there are lots of tutorials and diagrams on how to do this.

Option 4: Menstrual Cups

These are by far the most highly praised menstrual product. My friends who use them love them. You do have to shop around a bit to find one that fits your body. The Diva Cup didn’t work for me but everyone’s body is different and I have friends who swear by it.

London Drugs carries two brands the Diva Cup and Intimina. Intimina is softer than the Diva cup and has 4 different styles. There are tons of brands out there with different features, colours, etc. so definitely check them out and you may have to try out a few. The Travelling Tickle Trunk, Edmonton’s adult-toy boutique also carries menstrual cups and other menstrual products. I love these guys because they’re helpful and the place is very boutique cute.

Option 5: Reusable Pads/ Liners

There are liners that you can add to your normal underwear or special underwear that have a pocket to keep the liner in place. These are usually more cost effective than period-proof items but serve the same purpose. Before purchasing, be sure to check absorbency and make sure the product aligns with your needs. If you’re looking for a backup to your tampon or menstrual cup you may only need a liner. If you’re looking to replace your pad or tampon you’ll need a pad with good absorbency. Like period-proof clothing these will need to be rinsed out after wearing and before washing.

There are a number of companies that make these and I’m sure you can find a maker at your local market. If you’re shopping online for your reusable pads these days check out period aisle, a certified B Corp selling many sustainable period products, and Lilypads, a Canadian company selling reusable menstrual pads, nursing pads and other reusable products.

Option 6: Period Proof Clothing

The most common period-proof clothing is the period underwear but there are also companies that sell period proof leggings, leotards, swimwear – basically whatever you’ll need to keep you dry during that time of the month.

I’ve tried Thinx and Knix products - both look and work great. My sister recently purchased some extremely comfy undies from Revolgirl, a Canadian company that has two lines of period boxer shorts because they recognize that not all menstruating humans are female (go Revolgirl!). If you’re looking for the swimsuit, ModiBodi has a one-piece. ModiBodi and Dear Kate both have period proof leggings.

I love period-proof undies but if you’re not willing to fully commit to wearing just period undies on your heavy days, they work excellently for light days and overnight.

It’s not a menstrual product but it can certainly help make your period more sustainable: it’s a bidet! There are so many options in so many different price ranges. I won’t dive too deep but this can definitely help reduce your menstrual waste by reducing the additional toilet paper this time of the month often calls for.

That’s essentially the low-down on ways to reduce your waste during your period. Let me know if this is a topic that interests you and I can go into more detail and/or do some more specific product reviews. Just let me know!

Find Part 1 “Remedies for Menstrual Cramping” here.

Find Part 3 “Happy Menstruating” a Menstrual Hygiene Day reflection here.

Reduce Waste. Period.