Mitigate whilst you Menstruate: Disposal
Our pledge to switch to using menstrual cups has many benefits, but this blog post is focusing on the benefits cups have on water quality and marine environments. Single use sanitary products are having a detrimental effect on our planet. Single use sanitary products contain plastic- pads are around 90% plastic - and they generate more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, which ultimately ends up in landfill or, even worse, in marine environments(1).
Why is this an issue?
The manufacture, use and disposal of single use sanitary products releases pollutants into our environment (3).
An average menstruating human throws away 125 to 150kg of tampons, pads and applicators in their lifetime, with most of these products ending up incinerated, in landfill, or reappearing in marine environments (3). This is an issue as both incineration and landfill release greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.
Sanitary products are sources of marine litter that enter the water through toilet disposal, shown in the graphic above created by Surfers Against Sewage (2). In 2010, a UK beach clean found an average of 23 sanitary pads and 9 tampon applicators per km of British coastline (1). Marine litter is an environmental problem on a global scale adversely impacting human health, the economy and wildlife (5).
Along with cotton buds, sanitary products make up 7.3% of items flushed down the toilet in the UK (3). This is an issue as 55% of sewer flooding is caused by blockages in sewers and drains, leading to flooding and pollution (4). Blockages also have economic implications as Water companies estimate that it costs the industry between £60-80 million pounds every year to clear blocked drains and sewers (4)
What can you do to stop this issue?
This issue is avoidable! By joining our pledge, you will help to reduce the number of single use sanitary products being used.
In the meantime, here are some other tips to have a greener period:
Only the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and toilet Paper – should be flushed.
If you are using single use products then make sure they are made from Organic Cotton.
Avoid fragranced sanitary products as these have added unnecessary, synthetic chemicals.
Check out Women’s Environmental Network (https://www.wen.org.uk/environmenstrual/) and Surfers against Sewage (https://www.sas.org.uk/), for more tips on how to have a greener period and healthier oceans.
References
https://www.wen.org.uk/environmenstrual/
https://www.sas.org.uk
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/559d276fe4b0a65ec3938057/t/560d0280e4b079cb072e979e/1443693184604/environmenstrualweb14.pdf
https://www.water.org.uk/news-water-uk/latest-news/only-flush-poo-pee-and-paper
https://www.sas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SAS-Marine-Litter-Report-Med.pdf
