It's hard for someone embarking on a zero-waste lifestyle to use single-use pads or tampons every month.
In addition to being the most used methods of protection, they are also responsible for certain damage to the female genital tract because of the unnatural ingredients that make up these protections.
Before giving you our advice on eco-responsible methods to protect yourself during the week of menstruation, remember that menstruating people allocate on average 8300€ during their life to protect themselves.
Vegetable cellulose protections
Present in many organic stores, tampons and pads made from vegetable cellulose do not contain any pesticides. These protections are not made from cotton, but from vegetable cellulose (like the film that surrounds our Bonsai packets!), a carbohydrate of natural origin. Their manufacture is not polluting because they are bleached with hydrogen peroxide and not with chlorine. They are used in the same way as conventional products but have the advantage of being hypoallergenic and biodegradable. They are guaranteed paraben-free and fragrance-free.
Reusable towels
You must have heard about it, reusable sanitary napkins are becoming more and more used. They are usually hand or machine washable at 30 or 40 degrees. Made of organic and certified fabrics, they pose no risk to the genitals and do not cause hormonal imbalance either, unlike the potential nanoparticles which are present in synthetic protections.
The menstrual cup
The cup has been around a bit longer than reusable pads and it doesn't contain any risky ingredients. It is a silicone container which is placed in the vagina during the period of the rule and which is withdrawn thanks to the small end which protrudes at the end of the cup. This method of protection, however, is different from the two previous ones because instead of absorbing the blood, it retains it. To wash it is simple: just boil it in water.
So, are you ready to take the leap?