Go Green on Your Flow this Plastic-Free July and Beyond!

People are cutting plastic out of their lives left, right and center, looking for any opportunity to go that one step further to ditch unnecessary waste for a better planet, but have you ever thought about what you use on your period? In early 2018, I came to realize for the first time that the products I had been using since I started my period, contained up to 90% plastic! This realization led me to want to raise awareness about this issue and take action

Image by @jessicajaneillustrations

Plastic Free July is here and in preparation I have put together this blog about how everyone who has a period, from individuals, to offices and workplaces can ditch plastic at that time of the month! Prepare yourself for period puns and a flow of tips as I show you how you can Go Green On Your Flow; Let’s dive in!

How you can make a difference as an individual:
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Say ‘See ya later Plastic Applicator’!
Plastic tampon applicators are a big issue, they are used for a matter of seconds, yet take centuries to break down. If you use them, this is a great first step to cut down on unnecessary plastic and luckily, you’ll be able to ditch them in no time with the abundance of alternatives out there:
Cardboard applicators: Simply switch from a plastic applicator to cardboard! They were the first applicators around, do the same job as plastic, without the negative environmental impacts and won’t stick around for centuries!
Non-Applicators: No applicator, no problem! Non-apps are the perfect choice if you aren’t fussed about applicators, you also cut down on excess waste – what’s not to like? Do be aware however, that the majority of non-apps come with plastic wrapping them.
Reusable Applicator: Don’t want to go applicator-free, but cardboard isn’t quite right for you either? What about a reusable applicator? This new period tech is designed so that you never need another applicator again! They are fantastic, as you just keep re-using them, over and over again!

Make the switch to plastic-free tampons and pads!
At school during period education, we are given branded tampons and pads, this then starts a consumer cycle and those brands become our go-to for the foreseeable future.

The truth is mainstream period brands contain up to 90% plastic, are used for 4-8 hours, disposed of and then take over 500 years to break down. You can take direct action to ditch plastic on your period, by swapping out plastic laden tampons, pads and pantyliners in favor of eco-friendly versions that do the same job, minus the plastic!

There are countless companies out there producing plastic-free alternatives, some since the 80’s! This is a great switch and one that is easily made, there are now eco-friendly ranges available in most supermarkets and health food stores nationwide, due to the campaigns action.

Even if you use eco-period products, please NEVER flush them! It is estimated that 2.5 Million Tampons, 1.4 Million Pads and 700,000 Pantyliners are flushed down UK toilets every day, collectively adding up to a horrifying 2 Billion a year! Because water companies can’t capture everything that is wrongly flushed, it can then end up in waterways and eventually the ocean. Over time, they break down into smaller pieces, known as micro-plastics and fibres, which then pose a further threat to marine-life and ecosystems.

Image by @jessicajaneillustrations

Give reusables a go!
Want to give something else a try? Reusables might be just the thing for you. There are multiple benefits to them, you not only save a huge amount of money, but you also reduce the number of products you use, meaning less waste. Let’s explore the reusable choices available:
Menstrual Cups are becoming a popular choice for people looking for reusable period products. They are insertable and can be used for 4-12 hours at a time depending on your flow, it is then removed, emptied, rinsed and reinserted! Though their initial cost is slightly high, they can be used for 10 years, meaning you save a huge amount of money in the long run!
Washable pads aren’t spoken about very often, as the conversation surrounding reusable menstrual products is usually dominated by cups. Not everyone likes insertable products like tampons or cups, for whatever reason, which is where reusable pads come in! They are just like disposable pads, but instead of throwing them away after each use, you wash and reuse them again and again! They are a fantastic choice and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and patterns, meaning you can find the perfect one to suit you and your flow!
Period pants are a pretty new innovation and you may not have heard of them before but are proving to be a big hit! Just like washable pads, they can be washed after each use and used repeatedly for years to come. They are a bit on the pricier side, but they are super comfy, and have you covered even on your heaviest days!
 
How your workplace can break the plastic cycle, period.
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Actively making changes in our lives is a great way to cut the use of plastic, but have you ever thought of the impact you could have by bringing that conversation into your workplace or business?  Here is how your workplace can make a positive difference to the planet by having a green flow:
Provide plastic-free tampons and pads: If you provide or are thinking of making period products available to your employees or customers, then why not purchase eco-friendly products instead of plastic laden mainstream brands? This way you will be taking a forward thinking and incredibly positive step to provide people with what they need, whilst tackling the plastic crisis and protecting the environment simultaneously!
Spread the word: If your workplace freely stocks mainstream brands for you and your colleagues, they are more than likely unaware that they contain plastic. Start a conversation and speak to them about your thoughts and concerns, you can then use this as an opportunity to ask/suggest if they can stock an eco-friendly brand instead!
Don’t flush: Put a Do-Not-Flush sticker or notification on the back of all toilet doors, so that employees can be made aware that they shouldn’t be flushing anything down the toilet apart from pee, paper and poo!