Just for Women
Once a month, women of childbearing age menstruate, necessitating the use of boxes and boxes of tampons and sanitary napkins. Disposable tampons that are flushed down the toilet are removed from the wastewater as it enters the bar screen. There, tampons and other larger items are removed and taken to a landfill for disposal. Sanitary napkins thrown in the trash are either taken to a landfill or incinerated. Either way, feminine hygiene products create waste.
If your green living takes you on an outdoor adventure, you probably don't have the option of scheduling it around your menstrual cycle. There is no conclusive evidence that menstruating women are more likely to be attacked by a bear or shark. Just to be on the safe side, park rangers recommend that, when hiking, women wear tampons and double-bag their waste.
If you are particularly concerned with the waste produced as part of having a period and are willing to add to your laundry load, consider trying reusable sanitary pads. There are a variety of pads on the market that have other benefits besides reducing waste. The reusable pads are made from 100 percent cotton and do not include any irritating fragrances, deodorants, or other chemicals. They come in a variety of sizes and over time can save money when compared to single-use tampons and pads. Other options include the Keeper, made from latex, and the Moon Cup, made from silicone; these menstrual cups can hold up to one ounce of flow for up to twelve hours. If you are interested, check out these and other reusable menstrual options at sites like www.natural-woman.com, www.pandorapads.com, and www.feminineoptions.com.
