ENVR 1401
4 August 2016
Environmental Impact of Disposable Feminine Hygiene Products
Up until the early to mid 20th century, women were impeded by their menses and given no freedom from the burden that involuntarily happened to them monthly. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, commercial tampons were introduced (Kowalski). While these were leaps and bounds for women, commercialized tampons and pads were setbacks to the environment. The average woman will contribute 11,000-12,000 tampons or pads to landfill waste in her lifetime due to her menstrual cycle and 7 billion tampons are disposed annually in the US alone (Ruby Cup, Collin 23). It will take thousands of years for the plastics in disposable feminine hygiene products to degrade and also uses our petroleum reserves. Both disposable and sustainable menstrual products have aided women’s liberation, but only sustainable products will free both women and the earth.
Disposable pads and tampons may appear undemanding and uncomplicated. So conventional in fact, that tampons are used by up to 70% of menstruating women (Borowski 16). In reality, disposable tampons and pads are produced with harsh dioxins and can cause toxic shock syndrome. Asbestos and dermatological as well as reproductive issues have been linked to commercial tampons, as well as UTI’s and mini-ulcers in the vaginal tissue (FDA, JAMA Dermatology, New England Journal of Medicine, Rochester Instutue of Technology). If the tampons have such an impact on women’s bodies, it follows they would be bad for the environment. Plastics from disposable products can be found on beaches around the world and in landfills in your town. Sure conventional pads and tampons might be less to think about, and just that, conventional. That does not make conventional pads and tampons any better for the environment or women.
Menstrual cups, one of the sustainable options for women, are not as popular or widespread as disposable tampons or pads. Being that they are unheard of (because of menstrual taboo) women are fearful of them. The truth about menstrual cups is that they are safer than tampons, better for the environment, better for women’s health, better for women and girls of the world, and easier on women economically (Lunapads). One menstrual cup will last up to ten years, meaning a woman will only need four or five in her entire menstruating life. Menstrual cups are made of 100% silicone or even natural (biodegradable) rubber while tampons are made with agricultural resources such as cotton, thus tampons add to the agricultural strain on the earth (Keeper Cup). Menstrual cups have no relation to the hormone disruptors such as Bisphenol A that is commonplace in tampons. Because menstrual cups collect menstrual flow rather than absorbing it, they reduce health complications, resulting in potential protection of the environment (because of less sick women).
Since there are 85 million menstruating women (in the US), why is the medical field not promoting sustainable period options, such as menstrual cups for the health of women and the earth (Rochester Institute of Technology, Borowski 9)? Women who use menstrual cups “attribute their preference to comfort, dryness, and less odor.” (OMICS group). Only 22% of young women have talked about tampons with their healthcare provider, making the amount of young women who talk to their healthcare provider about alternative options even less (National Center for Biotechnology Information). The earth and environmental impacts are not being taken into consideration by our medical community because the feminine hygiene issue is a billion dollar industry (Borowski 18).
It is understandable why women still use disposable tampons and pads. They are promoted by the industry leaders such as Kimberly Clark and have been used by daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, causing a false reputation (Borowski 18). The negative impacts on the environment are still rising nonetheless and must be addressed responsibly. The menstrual cup is a great invention and solution to the environmental and health risks associated with commercial tampons and pads.
I believe in the menstrual cup because it is a logical answer to the ever growing waste epidemic in our consumer based society. We as a nation spend so much money on “quick and easy” things when there are usually plenty of other options that are just as efficient, usually more cost efficient, and much better for the earth. Women have been given limited options for years and have never seen such a variety in their menstrual care, yet still they choose conventional products. I truly conclude that it is time for a revolution in women’s health. We need to stop passively allowing other women to fall prey to chemicals hurting their bodies and their world. Plastics are “never” going to degrade and that is not being responsible for the future generations of women who will also be in this world. These are the reasons I think it is time for a change in the way women feel about the liberation of their earth and their health.
Works Consulted
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