In America, women consistently spend nearly US$2.8 billion on disposable pads and tampons, which can take decades to decompose. Is there a more affordable and eco-friendly option? We asked an expert about the environmental impact of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups.
What is a Menstrual Cup?
A menstrual cup is a reusable feminine hygiene product. It is a small, flexible, bell-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that a woman inserts into her vagina to collect menstrual fluid. It can be used for up to 12 hours, after which it is removed, emptied, and cleaned. The cup is washed with hot water and soap between uses and sterilized by boiling once per period. A cup can last up to 10 years.
Although menstrual cups have existed for decades, they have been less popular than pads or tampons.
Are Menstrual Cups Growing in Popularity?
Yes, their popularity is increasing as women and men become more open to discussing menstruation. Menstrual cups have been featured in media ranging from Teen Vogue to NPR. Their growing popularity is also driven by public concerns over the solid waste associated with disposable products like pads and tampons.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment?
A life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a comprehensive evaluation of all the materials, energy, and processes involved in the production, use, and disposal of a product. It measures the impact on climate change, resource depletion, human toxicity, and other factors.
For this assessment, researchers looked at the life cycle of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups to determine their overall environmental impact. A menstrual cup, with a lifespan of 10 years, was found to have a significantly lower impact compared to tampons and pads, which must be frequently replaced.
Is Using a Menstrual Cup More Environmentally Sustainable?
The results of the life cycle assessment clearly show that reusable menstrual cups are the most eco-friendly option. Maxi-pads had the highest environmental impact, while tampons were 40% lower, and menstrual cups had a 99.6% lower impact. The manufacturing of the raw materials for pads contributed to their higher score.
Most people choose reusable products to reduce landfill waste, but the study reveals that most environmental benefits come from not having to continually manufacture disposable products. Manufacturing and material extraction, not waste disposal, account for the majority of the environmental impact.
How Can We Encourage the Use of Sustainable Hygiene Products?
There has been a shift in attitudes toward discussing menstruation, especially among younger women in the U.S. Programs like those at Clarkson University, which distributed free menstrual cups to students, are helping make these products more accessible. Reliable health websites like WebMD and Healthline also offer helpful information on the proper use and care of menstrual cups, which should encourage more women to try them.
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