What is the best material for a tampon?
Cotton tampons with plastic applicators are most popular. At Blume, we have bio-plastic applicators that are BPA free and are made of 90% sugar-cane and 10% plastic.
What's the difference between a tampon and a pad?
Tampons come wrapped in plastic, encased in plastic applicators, with plastic strings dangling from one end, and many even include a thin layer of plastic in the absorbent part. Pads generally incorporate even more plastic, from the leak-proof base to the synthetics that soak up fluid to the packaging.
Why are tampons made of plastic?
By the 1970s, plastics could be molded into smooth, thin, flexible rounded shapes—perfect, some designers thought, for tampon applicators. But it’s not just the applicator that’s plastic: many tampons incorporate some bits of plastic in the absorbent part itself. A thin layer often helps hold the tightly-packed cotton part together.
What is a tampon applicator made of?
The cardboard tampon applicator is one of the first applicators to be invented and is an applicator that is made out of cardboard that helps you insert your tampon. At Blume, we offer cardboard applicators that are rounded for easier insertion and are 100% biodegradable, non threatening to your body and the planet. What are plastic applicators?
Is there plastic in tampon?
Our Tampax Plastic applicators are made of Polyethylenel. Our applicators are not biodegradable that's the reason why we recommend disposing them (Carboard and Plastic) in an appropriate waste container like tampons and wrappers.
How much plastic is in a pad?
In fact, according to a study conducted by Natracare, a pack of typical pads contains about the same amount of plastic as five typical plastic shopping bags!
How much waste do tampons create?
In the US, around 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are thrown out every year and a year's worth of disposable period products leaves a carbon footprint equivalent to 5.3 kilograms (nearly 12 pounds) of CO2.
Is the plastic from tampons recyclable?
Because tampons have been in contact with blood which is considered human waste, conventional city or country recycling streams are unable to process them. While tampon applicators cannot be recycled, all Tampax boxes in North America can be recycled and 96% of all Tampax packaging globally is recyclable.
Are tampons or pads worse for the environment?
If you have to choose between pads and tampons, tampons, especially tampons without applicators, are the more environmentally friendly choice because they require less plastic than pads.
How did ladies deal with periods in the 1800s?
The 1800s: The First Disposable Napkin On its website, the Museum of Menstruation says that these women either made their own menstrual pads, bought washable pads, or opted to have their clothes absorb the blood. Remember: women had far fewer periods.
Are tampons more hygienic than pads?
But still, there are chances of getting TSS when you're using a sanitary pad, but the risk is the same as not using any feminine hygiene protection. But tampons can increase your chances of TSS compared to pads, so better know the symptoms and what to do if you think you have it.
How long does a tampon take to decompose?
around six monthsEnvironmental impact of menstrual products The average nonorganic pad takes 500 to 800 years to decompose. A cotton tampon takes around six months. However, nonorganic tampon brands aren't biodegradable: They may be wrapped in plastic or use a plastic applicator.
What tampon brand is the safest?
FYI: Here Are The Best Non-Toxic And Organic Tampons On The...Cora Organic Cotton Tampons. ... Tampax Pure Organic Regular Absorbency Tampons. ... Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons. ... The Honest Company Organic Cotton Tampons. ... Rael Organic Cotton Unscented Tampons. ... Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons.More items...•
Why are tampons wrapped in plastic?
The standard wrap for tampons is plastic, as it effectively prevents bacterial transferal therefore keeping tampons sterile.
Do flushable tampons exist?
No. Although some tampons are biodegradable, they take time to degrade. In theory, it's fine to flush compostable and biodegradable tampons, however, most water-waste systems simply can't cope with items such as tampons.
Is it OK to flush tampons?
They wouldn't be an effective period-care product if they broke down so easily in the presence of liquid! Flushing tampons and other period-care products down the toilet can not only clog your pipes, but they can end up in rivers and oceans, harming the environment. Do your part and please don't flush tampons.
Do pads have plastic?
Pads generally incorporate even more plastic, from the leak-proof base to the synthetics that soak up fluid to the packaging.
Do Always pads have plastic?
That's because, unlike the major brands Nana, Always, and Vania, Natracare makes feminine hygiene products out of cotton and uses zero plastic. They're not the only company to do so: in the last few years, Jho, Naty, and Love & Green have also entered the burgeoning trade in organic pads.
What are period pads made of?
Although producers are generally reluctant to reveal the exact composition of their products, the main materials of disposable menstrual pads are usually bleached rayon (cellulose made from wood pulp), cotton and plastics. In addition, fragrance and antibacterial agents can be included.
What are sanitary pads made up of?
The average sanitary napkin is comprised 48% of fluff pulp; 36% PE, PP, and PET; 7% adhesives; 6% superabsorbent; and 3% release paper.
How many plastic tampons are there in the UK?
On UK beaches there are nine plastic tampon applicators found per kilometre. Your time of the month can be fraught with discomfort and the environmental impact of your tampon is likely to be the furthest thing from your mind. But on UK beaches there are nine plastic tampon applicators found per kilometre, according to the Women’s Environmental ...
What is single use plastic?
The plastics that are found include both polyethylene, the most common form of plastic, and polypropylene, which is the plastic used in teabags and chocolate bar wrappers. However, there are alternatives.
Do dames tampons come in plastic?
DAME’s tampons do come in a plastic wrapper currently, but it is in the process of introducing biodegradable packaging. The Kickstarter campaign can be found here. Both TOTM and Natracare ’s tampons have extra eco-friendly credentials.
Does Superdrug use plastic?
Asda and Boots ’ own brand tampon ranges – as well as Superdrug ’s standard range – use biodegradable paper applicator tubes and recyclable packaging, but plastic can be found, once again, inside the tampons themselves. Superdrug ’s compact tampons also use plastic applicators.
Does Tampax have plastic?
All of Tampax ’s ranges contain a plastic film around the tampon, as well as the attached string. Although its main range offers biodegradable cardboard applicators, plastic can be found in its Pearl and Compak ranges.
Does plastic tampons biodegrade?
“The plastic in tampons is an urgent problem that we need to address,” Kate Metcalf, co-director of Women’s Environmental Network told HuffPost UK. “Plastic doesn’t biodegrade when it reaches our oceans ...
Is TOTM a plastic tampon?
As well as providing biodegradable cardboard applicators, both brands offer plastic free tampons made from 100% organic cotton. In terms of packaging, TOTM ’s applicator tampons are wrapped in paper, whereas their non-applicator tampons are wrapped in plastic, but TOTM is looking to change this as soon as possible.
What are tampons made of?
Tampon applicators are almost always made from plastic. Some companies make applicator-free tampons. This article was created in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Plastic pervades modern life, and menstruation is no exception. Since the middle of the 20 th century, many tampons and menstrual pads have contained somewhere between ...
What is the string on a tampon made of?
A thin layer often helps hold the tightly-packed cotton part together. In some cases, the string is made of polyester or polypropylene.
How many tampons do menstruators use?
But rough estimates for the likely output are staggering: In 2018 alone, people in the U.S. bought 5.8 billion tampons, and over the course of a lifetime, a single menstruator will use somewhere between 5 and 15 thousand pads and tampons, the vast majority of which will wind up in landfills as plastic waste. To dislodge plastic from menstrual care, ...
When was the first tampon invented?
Colorado-based general practitioner Earle Cleveland Haas patented the first tampon with applicator in 1933. By the time dome-tipped plastic applicators were introduced in 1973, tampons were used by more than 70 percent of U.S. women.
Why is plastic removed from menstrual care?
To dislodge plastic from menstrual care, though, will take more than design disruption, because the reasons plastic has lodged itself so deep in the design in the first place are tangled in a web of culture, shame, science, and more.
Is plastic used in menstrual pads?
Plastic pervades modern life, and menstruation is no exception. Since the middle of the 20 th century, many tampons and menstrual pads have contained somewhere between a little and a lot of plastic in their basic design—sometimes for reasons that “improve” the design, but often for reasons less crucial. Getting a handle on how much plastic waste ...
Does Kotex use plastic wrappers?
That meant plastic wrapping for everything. In 2013, the discreet packaging projects hit their heights when Kotex introduced a tampon with a “ softer, quieter wrapper to help keep it secret ,” designed for silent unwrapping. And disposal? There are plastics to help with that part of the process, too. In some public restrooms, little packets of scented plastic baggies sit on the bathroom stall walls, ready to enclose and disguise used sanitary products on their short path from stall to trash bin.
How many tampons do women use?
You may not be aware, but it takes a tampon longer to degrade than the lifespan of the women who wears it and the average woman will use over 11,000 disposable, one-time-use menstrual products in her reproductive lifetime. That's a lot of tampons.
What are reusable period pants made of?
Alongside reusable applicators and menstrual cups, there's also reusable period pants, which are made of intelligent, hyper-absorbent and anti-microbial fabric , which you simply pop in the washing machine after a day's use, ready for the next day. Thinx is arguably the market-leader in mainstream period pants.
How long do menstrual cups last?
Menstrual cups like the Mooncup, Intimina and Diva Cup have enjoyed a stratospheric rise in popularity in part for their economical benefits (one menstrual cup for around £20 will last up to 10 years), but also for the fact they are completely zero-waste.
Is organic cotton a problem?
Organic cotton breaks down far more easily and therefore poses far less of a problem where the environment is concerned. It's all down to fact that certified organic tampons don't contain the synthetic materials found in other tampons. including rayon, plastics and artificial absorbents that are non-biodegradable.
How to put a tampon on yourself?
You can use those positions for inserting the tampon yourself also. With your non-writing hand, pull back the folds around your vagina. With your dominant hand, hold the middle of the tampon, and place your index finger at the base where the string is. Remember, relax.
What is the most popular tampon for women?
Plastic tampon applicators are the most popular amongst women. Same thing as the cardboard applicator, but this one is made out of plastic. A lot of women prefer the plastic tampon applicator as they feel they have more control over where it goes. Cotton tampons with plastic applicators are most popular.
What is a tampon applicator?
The tampon applicator sounds exactly like it’s name – an applicator that helps you insert your tampon.
What is a cardboard tampon applicator?
What are cardboard applicators? The cardboard tampon applicator is one of the first applicators to be invented and is an applicator that is made out of cardboard that helps you insert your tampon.
What are Blume tampons made of?
Cotton tampons with plastic applicators are most popular. At Blume, we have bio-plastic applicators that are BPA free and are made of 90% sugar-cane and 10% plastic. TLDR. If you buy Blume tampons, we have environmentally friendly “plastic” applicators!
How to put a tampon on your vagina?
Aim for your lower your back. Using your index finger, push the tampon all the way up into your vagina, until you can’t see or feel it. It should be approximately one inch inside of you, with the string hanging out. Wash your hands and you’re all done!
What does TSS stand for in tampons?
If you haven’t used tampons before, they can seriously be so intimidating. You might worry about losing a tampon inside of you, or TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome ). If it’s your first time using tampons, try it out when you’re at home, comfortable and not in a rush.
What does the size of a tampon mean?
Ultimately, what you need to know when it comes to different tampon sizes is that the size refers to its absorbency, not the actual length or width of the tampon body.
What is a sports tampon?
Active or “sports” tampons are usually made for people who are playing sports or might be more lively during their periods. To provide secure protection, these tampons typically have leak-guard protection on the strings or a different method of expansion that covers more surface area.
How long does it take for a tampon to absorb?
If there’s still quite a lot of white space on the tampon after removing it between 4 and 8 hours, then you might prefer a lower absorbency tampon. Lighter tampons also have a lower risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Why are tampons called slim?
Some brands use the word slim or slender to describe a variety of different tampon sizes because it makes the tampons sound more appealing to insert.
Why are tampons shorter?
Light or junior tampons might be smaller in width because there’s not as much material.
Why are tampons unnecessary?
This is a topic of hot debate. Many doctors say scented tampons are unnecessary because the vagina is self-cleaning. External scent or cleansing can disrupt your natural pH balance and eliminate the good bacteria. Because of this, a lot of doctors recommend unscented tampons.
Is it safe to use a super tampon for first time users?
On the other hand, super or ultra tampons might be wider or thicker in appearance. This is why they’re generally not recommended for first-time users.
What Are My Tampons and Pads Made from? Meet The Period Plastics.
- Tampons
Many mainstream tampons are made from a mix of conventional cotton and rayon. Viscose rayon, a synthetic fibre used since the 1930s, is produced from cellulose. Rayon production is a huge contributor to deforestation. So what about the cotton? Conventional cotton has earned th… - Pads and liners
Conventional pads are usually made with cellulose, polyethene and polyolefins. City to Sea revealed that your standard main brand pack of pads can contain up to 5 carrier bags worth of plastic.Many pads are in fact up to 90% plastic. This can explain why some pad users find them …
What Are The Alternatives?
- Periods are personal and you have to make a choice based on what’s right for you. If you’re looking to ditch the period plastic and make a sustainable switch then there are so many options available.
Do These Alternatives Perform?
- We couldn’t sign off the blog without answering this crucial question! After all, we are talking about products designed to collect/absorb menstrual flow. You need to have confidence that they won’t let you down when you’re in work, on the bus or at the gym. The short answer is YES. These products all comply to industry standard absorbency guidelines. They are also trusted by custo…