$(function() { }; Unlike traditional pads composed of horrible manmade fibers, organic pads made with organic cotton allow your skin to breathe while keeping you dry -- all thanks to an absorbent cellulose core. className: "pt-0 pb-3 my-0" ContentList, You see, conventional pads made with synthetic fiber have a perforated surface, which happens to absorb a touch faster than the organic cotton pads., So, even though a pad that is made with organic can absorb a lot more of your flow, some women may feel the need to change it a little more than the synthetic ones., Well, for starters, organic pads like the ones from Rael are made with 100% cotton and absolutely no synthetic additives or harmful chemicals. Typical pads and tampons contain nasty toxins such as dioxins, which are by-products of the chlorine bleaching process used to make cotton and wood pulp look clean. showMobileImage: true, v3Styles: true, Far from bulky, these soft, innovative pads wont show under your clothes and will barely be noticeable as you go about your busy day. But companies originally marketed disposable period products as necessary tools for modern working women who wanted to be discreet about menstruation, and didnt highlight the damage they could do to the planet or the chemicals used to make them. While the fight for menstrual equity and ending period poverty includes eliminating the tampon tax and ensuring all people who menstruate have access to the resources to manage their menstruation with safety and dignity,the environmental impact of necessary sanitary items like pads and tampons sometimes gets lost in the conversation. Pads can be made sustainably, too! bindComponentToDiv( Since washing can require more time, or you are not comfortable if in a public setting, there is a way to make a more sustainable choice with single use pads.Here are some great companies that offer more sustainable disposable period pad options! Tampons, pads, and panty liners, their packaging, and wrapping generate more than 200,000 metric tons of waste annually. That is a lot of plastic that will never degrade and forever live in our ecosystem. v3Classes: "bst-container-fluid", showDescription: false, Some of these harmful pesticides also break down into synthetic estrogen, which is associated with reproductive issues and even infertility., Organic pads also use significantly less energy, and water for manufacturing standard pads do, and many versions are compostable and biodegradable., The cost of organic pads is honestly really comparable to the cost of standard pads, but without the potential risk of skin irritation and the staggering environmental damage!, Since pure organic cotton is so absorbent, many women find that they can use fewer pads for each period. What Is Clean Beauty & What to Look for Before Buying, What is Petroleum Jelly? PageHeadlines, Some of these harmful pesticides also break down into synthetic estrogen, which is associated with reproductive issues and even infertility., Believe it or not, conventional pads are mostly made up of plastic, with very little or, cotton content. A few extra pennies pay to protect your body, the environment, wildlife, farmers and future generations organic is a great way to wield your purchasing power! Reusable pads are more sustainable than disposable pads but also have their downsides. You will also have a much lower risk for fungal and bacterial infections that can result when airflow is limited to this sensitive area., In addition, organic cotton farming doesnt require the use of any pesticides that, , who play a significant role in our ecosystem. ); This POC woman-owned company was created after the founder, Arion Long, was diagnosed with a cervical tumor. pageHeadlineProps showMobileImage: true, Free from toxins, fragrances and certified by Dermatest. There is no plastic in any of the pad or any of the packaging and they are made with 100% certified organic cotton. v3Styles: true, Please contact us at contact@globalcitizen.org if you would like to re-activate your account. While they cost more initially,they can be left in for up to 12 hours, used with limited access to water and sanitation, and last up to six years with proper care., Menstrual cups are estimated to have less than 1.5% environmental impact of disposable and save a person who menstruates 2,400 pads or tampons in their lifetime. var pageHeadlineProps = { contentListProps Organic pads are primarily made with -- you guessed it -- organic cotton! Conventional pads are usually made of mostly plastic and filled with toxic chemicals so look for companies that are transparent with their ingredients. This can mean the difference between having access to period care products and not for some people who could not otherwise afford the monthly expense. Cotton Uncovered Why Organic Cotton? var pageHeadlineProps = { There is also no regulation of ingredients required for period products so you never fully know what youre putting on your body. "related-stories-plugin-headline--649887", Additionally, since organic pads are made from pure cotton, they are fully biodegradable and wont end up polluting one of our many beautiful oceans., The next time youre shopping for pads, consider purchasing from Rael -- we have a true passion for making a positive impact on the Earth. h5: "Related Stories", Think about it, all these harmful chemicals can (and will) be absorbed by your body. All of these harmful ingredients near your most sensitive areas are not good for your health. They are ultra-absorbent and come with a travel and wash pouch. When tampons and applicators are flushed down the toilet, they can end up in the ocean when sewer systems fail and harm ecosystems. Your email address will not be published. $(function() { Just from one person who menstruates, over 12,000 pads are used in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it can take 500 to 800 years for the most popular period product to break down. ); v3Styles: true, showDescription: false, ); 16% of the worlds insecticides are used on cotton, and more than 75% of the worlds food crops rely on pollinators. Your vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of your body and what is placed near or inside it can become easily irritated and uncomfortable, so its important to consider the ingredients of your period products, and how these could affect your body. This softer material also reduces the risk of pesky allergies and skin irritation that can result from the plastic content of standard pads. unorderedWithImage: true, Then when actual cotton is used, the cotton was treated with pesticides then bleached with chlorine. Flo is also working on eliminating plastics in their supply chain and to make all products Co2 neutral by the end of 2021. Plastic like this takes hundreds of years to break down into smaller microplastics, which will end up in sea animals and the environment. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. ), Today, rayon is produced using elemental chlorine-free and sometimes even totally chlorine-free bleaching processes, significantly reducing the production of dioxins but not eliminating it entirely. $(function() { The leak-proof layer of their pads is a home compostable, certified biopolymer made from GM-free plant starch, a renewable resource. Rael offers reusable organic cotton pads in four sizes; petite, regular, large and overnight. }); Some people who menstruate choose to usereusable tampon applicatorswith applicator-free tampons to cut down on using single-use plastic. You can check out our Privacy Policy to see how we safeguard and use the information you provide us with. According to experts, non-organic pads can take up to a whopping 800 to 1,000,000 years to fully decompose, compared to just 2 years for organic cotton pads., In addition, organic cotton farming doesnt require the use of any pesticides that kill off native bees, insects, and birds, who play a significant role in our ecosystem. They stay put with wings fastened with a metal snap. showMobileImage: true, var contentListProps = { ); In fact, vaginas are very good at absorbing really anything you put in them. var contentListProps = { GladRags pads are made in the USA and free from irritating synthetics and chemical gels. What Toothpaste is the Best & Healthiest for You? className: "pt-0 pb-3 my-0" According to the, , dioxins can also cause hormone issues, trouble with your immune system, reproductive issues such as painful periods and endometriosis, as well as developmental problems.. Their pads are gynecologist-approved and available for underwear sizes XS to 5XL. pageHeadlineProps Privacy Policy. contentList: JSON.parse('[{\u0022id\u0022:20992,\u0022thumbnails\u0022:{\u0022medium\u0022:{\u0022landscape\u0022:\u0022https://media.globalcitizen.org/thumbnails/5a/97/5a970ac0\u002D9417\u002D455a\u002Dbf63\u002D61d69946ddc6/femstrate_founders.png__800x600_crop_subsampling\u002D2.png\u0022,\u0022portrait\u0022:\u0022https://media.globalcitizen.org/thumbnails/5a/97/5a970ac0\u002D9417\u002D455a\u002Dbf63\u002D61d69946ddc6/femstrate_founders.png__600x800_crop_subsampling\u002D2.png\u0022,\u0022landscape_16_9\u0022:\u0022https://media.globalcitizen.org/thumbnails/5a/97/5a970ac0\u002D9417\u002D455a\u002Dbf63\u002D61d69946ddc6/femstrate_founders.png__800x450_crop_subsampling\u002D2.png\u0022},\u0022large\u0022:{\u0022landscape_16_9\u0022:\u0022https://media.globalcitizen.org/thumbnails/5a/97/5a970ac0\u002D9417\u002D455a\u002Dbf63\u002D61d69946ddc6/femstrate_founders.png__1600x900_crop_subsampling\u002D2.png\u0022},\u0022credits\u0022:{\u0022caption\u0022:null,\u0022author\u0022:\u0022Courtesy of Nicole Soret and Mya Abdelwahab\u0022,\u0022description\u0022:\u0022Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria students Nicole Soret left and Mya Abdelwahab.\u0022}},\u0022title\u0022:\u0022These 2 NYC Students Fought to Make Period Products Available During the COVID\u002D19 Crisis\u0022,\u0022url\u0022:\u0022https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/nyc\u002Dteens\u002Dcampaign\u002Dfor\u002Dfree\u002Dperiod\u002Dproducts\u002Dcovid/\u0022}]'), The same applies whether your tampon is made from rayon or organic cotton. Most tampons are sold without applicators in Europe and Australia., The plastics used in tampon applicators are made out of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), an environmentally harmful pollutant that requires energy-intensive processing. Organic cotton farming works with nature, not against it. Well, there are actually a ton of benefits of making the switch to organic pads -- here are a few of them: Traditional menstrual pads contain chemicals called dioxins that are created by the bleaching process used to make the material look bright-white. 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The reusable pads are made from organic cotton and designed to prevent leaks with their stitching. This means that you can safely use your pad without worrying about your most sensitive region absorbing harsh ingredients. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health, https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2018/07/how-many-animals-killed-in-agriculture/. ); But even cotton requires six pints of water to grow one bud and most non-organic cotton is saturated in toxic pesticides and insecticides., For people who menstruate who have a heavy flow and use panty liners in addition to tampons to prevent leaks, combination tampons and liners made of biodegradable cotton can help minimize waste and spend less time in landfills after disposal., Menstrual cups are bell-shaped devices with a stem made of medical-grade silicone, latex, or thermoplastic isomer that are inserted into the vagina and collect menstrual blood. Weve also made sure to include some disposable pads since they may be more practical if you are traveling or have little access to washing them. Styles with wings prevent leaks that can damage your clothes, while expanded versions are available for effective bedtime use. Risk of TSS can also be increased when youre wearing a tampon that is too absorbent for your flow. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com! Unlike traditional pads composed of horrible manmade fibers, -- all thanks to an absorbent cellulose core. Glad you found it useful . This is why some medicines are designed specifically for vaginal use.. Have you ever seen organic period products (like Natracare) on the shelf next to non-organic brands (like Tampax) and wondered: are organic pads and tampons better? Do Organic Pads and Tampons Shorten Your Period? Get in touch with us to let us know or leave a comment below. }; 6 Reasons to Choose Organic Tampons and Natural Pads, 16% of the worlds insecticides are used on cotton, how cotton farmers benefit from going organic, pack of pads contains the same amount of plastic as five carrier bags, Whether you prefer the physical feel of pads or tampons, How comfortable you feel about wearing a tampon internally, What activity youll be doing throughout the day, How heavy your flow is and what absorbency product to choose. bindComponentToDiv( }; v3Classes: "bst-container-fluid", Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. contentListProps Thank you so much, Ill start using . Conventional pads are filled with plastics, even though they are marketed to be pure cottony clouds. ); https://www.center4research.org/tampon-safety/#:~:text=Toxic%20Shock%20Syndrome%20is%20a,increase%20the%20risk%20of%20TSS. "related-stories-content-list--649888", Organic cotton farming works with nature, not against it, as per the four principles of organic agriculture (which are ecology, health, fairness and care). thumbnailLinkTabIndex: "-1" h5: "Related Stories", Since organic pads are made from only natural cotton, they are fully biodegradable. Organic tampons dont eliminate the risk of toxic shock syndrome. }); Silicone, which most menstrual cups are made of, is derived from silica, a type of sand that goes to its original state once it degrades and is an abundant material on earth that isnt hazardous to the environment., Period underwear is reusable underwear with multiple absorbent layers of fabric to absorb menstrual blood. var pageHeadlineProps = { Sometimes a disposable pad is just more realistic for your lifestyle whether it's that particular day or season of life. bindComponentToDiv( ContentList, Canada and Mexico City have included tampons in their single-use plastics bans for this reason. Why to Beware of Blush and Baby Powder, 9 Period Underwear Brands Making That Time of Month Easier on You & the Planet, 7 Natural & Non-Toxic Perfumes You'll Love Wearing in 2021, 7 Eco-Friendly Brands Making Better Hand Sanitizers for Healthy, Clean Hands, 9 Organic & Sustainable Essential Oil Brands for Home & Body, A Couple Years Later, Im Still Drying my Hair with These Amazing, Organic Cotton Towels, Fitting in Some Self-Care Time with The Pioneers of Fair Trade. Fossil fuel emissions from plastic production are the most harmful to the environment, and while applicators are made of recyclable materials, they arent accepted because theyre considered medical waste.. v3Classes: "bst-container-fluid", Some of the things to consider before choosing your period products include: Once youve decided which product to choose, youll also need to make the call between organic and non-organic. They also work to close the gap between reproductive inequity and provide period products for those in need. Because organic cotton farming doesnt use harmful pesticides, the birds and the bees are protected from unintended and unnecessary harm. Throughout history, peoplehave usednatural materials like leftover scraps of fabric, soft bark, or whatever else was available and absorbent to manage their periods. Thanks! Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. }); Organic tampons and pads made of natural materials like cotton or bamboo are often compostable in municipal composting facilities and cardboard applicators can be recycled. Check that the ingredients are listed, reputable companies have no problem disclosing what is in their products. pageHeadlineProps According to the World Health Organization, dioxins can also cause hormone issues, trouble with your immune system, reproductive issues such as painful periods and endometriosis, as well as developmental problems., When you use traditional pads with these hazardous chemicals, the absorbent tissues of your vagina can introduce them to your bloodstream.. Organic cotton also requires takes up less water and energy to grow, reducing the resources used to make organic personal care products. For people living in poverty who lack access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, cloth pads might not always offer the best solution, as they can cause infections if not washed adequately to remove all germs., Cleaning reusable pads also still requires water, which is in short supply in countries around the world, and detergent, which is a pollutant. Great question! Organic pads are primarily made with -- you guessed it -- organic cotton! From an environmental perspective, pads are a major contributor to landfill waste. "related-stories-content-list--649661", There is also less packaging required so aside from just the pad, you are also reducing waste by eliminating the need for individual plastic wrappers and outer packaging. bindComponentToDiv( ContentList, Lola is a women-founded company that prioritizes high quality ingredients for all their products. ); ContentList, The resulting fabric can feel rough against your skin and contribute to rashes and itchiness.. }); Organic pads made of cellulose and veggie gum glue are compostable but can still take 18 months for products to fully break down.. You will also have a much lower risk for fungal and bacterial infections that can result when airflow is limited to this sensitive area., Eco-friendly period products, like organic pads made of organic cotton, can make a serious positive impact on the health of the Earth.
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