Blog

Aug 07, 2023

7 environmentally

By Jasreen Mayal Khanna Did you know that there over a billion non-degradable sanitary napkins clogging India's sewage systems, water bodies and landfills? And that commercial pads and tampons consist

By Jasreen Mayal Khanna

Did you know that there over a billion non-degradable sanitary napkins clogging India's sewage systems, water bodies and landfills? And that commercial pads and tampons consist of 90 per cent plastic, and are also bleached with chlorine? Turns out, in India, one of the major culprits of the plastic pollution are the mainstream menstruation options available here.

There is a quiet revolution going on among educated Indian women, though, who are responding to the need of the hour by producing, and using, green sanitary napkins and tampons. While they come at a higher price point, these products use natural raw materials, are better for our own well-being and far less damaging to the ecological system. You may not be comfortable with switching to a menstrual cup or cloth pads overnight, but we can all easily look at moving to an eco-conscious brand of pads or tampons as an alternative choice. Read on for a list:

Co-founders Kristin Kagetsu, Tarun Bothra, Amrita Saigal and Grace Kane, graduates of MIT, Harvard and Nirma University, wanted to combat issues like menstruation taboos and poor access of pads in rural India. They were were also passionate about sustainable product design, with Kagestu previously having launched natural-dye crayons made by artisans in Uttarakhand. The four entrepreneurs put in their collective expertise to create sanitary napkins using highly-absorbent banana fibre, which is an agricultural by product and does not require additional land or water usage. The company does all its sourcing and manufacturing in Gujarat, and their eco-friendly and compostable sanitary napkin pads do not contain any bleach or chemicals that release toxins into the environment upon disposal. Being made from all-natural materials, Saathi pads are comfortable for the user as well, and do not cause rashes or chronic illnesses. Even their packaging is made from recycled hygiene paper, and they have also introduced a new overnight pad which will be available on their website soon. Saathipads.com

By Prabal Sharma

By Lisa Stardust

By Sanaa Sharma

Co-founder Tanvi Johri herself experienced allergies from the time she started menstruating, and also found pad disposal inconvenient with newspapers and polythene bags. Upon doing further research, she discovered that it is not necessary for sanitary napkin companies to disclose the ingredients used in the pads that are distributed in India. This was a turning point for her—she decided to launch Carmesi, all-natural and fully biodegradable sanitary pads that are made out of corn starch, bamboo fibre and compostable bio-plastic. The premium pads also come in completely biodegradable disposal bags, making menstruation a hassle-free experience for women while also safe guarding the planet. Buy here

“When I quit my job in the States and returned to India, I realised that the menstrual hygiene sector was completely monopolised and lacked innovation,” says founder Deepanjali Dalmia. “Women suffered from rashes, skin infections and UTIs on their periods and didn't seem to have a better, greener alternative. I wanted to disrupt this space with a product that was not only better for a woman's body and the earth, but [is] also priced at a fairly affordable rate.” She created compostable pads in two varieties: Ultra Thin (super slim) and Maxi Fluff (thick and bouncy). Both have seven super absorbent core sheets made from plant-based fibres like bamboo, which is then meshed with corn starch for a very soft texture. Every napkin has an individual cover made from corn starch and bioactive lactide that is also biodegradable. Dalmia recommends users dispose HeyDay pads along with their general household waste, or even decompose it in their personal compost pits for quicker results. Buy here

By Prabal Sharma

By Lisa Stardust

By Sanaa Sharma

India's first intimate hygiene company, Everteen® has a wide variety of products made from green ingredients such as applicator tampons, cotton-top sanitary pads, panty liners, crème hair remover for the bikini line, feminine hygiene wash, intimate wipes and a vaginal tightening and revitalising gel. Founder Hariom Tyagi is seriously committed to reducing their carbon footprint, which is why the products are manufactured at certified manufacturing units with green practices, packaging is made with card board and 75 per cent of the workforce (including top leadership) uses public transport to commute to work. Their premium sanitary pads feature a 100 per cent cotton top, biodegradable polymer gel, sterilised air-laid paper, a negative ion anti-bacterial strip and medical-grade non-toxic glue. Buy here

“Most women are unaware that commercial, feminine hygiene products have known carcinogens (like dioxins) in them and are made of 90 per cent plastic, which never biodegrades,” says founder Nisha Bains, who started Purganics to resolve these two issues. Her sanitary napkins are made with organic cotton certified by the GOTS and ICEA, which are global organic certifications assuring that the raw material is organic right from the seed to the finished product. No harmful chemicals, toxins or fragrances are used in the production and Purganics uses a naturally occurring disinfectant for bleaching purposes. Bains chose cotton because it is a naturally sustainable, hypoallergenic material, which is also pH compatible with delicate vaginal skin. Buy here

By Prabal Sharma

By Lisa Stardust

By Sanaa Sharma

Apart from being 100 per cent bio-degradable, Vivanion pads have an anion (negative ion) strip which suppresses bacteria growth and odour, while also improving blood circulation, immunity against infections and reproductive health. They are infused with medicinal herbs to relieve cramps and maintain the pH balance, and have leak protection lines on both sides as well. The napkins are bio-decomposable within one year, and come in a one cycle pack of four overnight pads and two panty liners for heavy and light days. Vivanion.in

Aakar is a social enterprise that enables women in rural India to produce and distribute the affordable and 100 per cent compostable Anandi sanitary napkins within their communities. The organisation establishes a sanitary pad production unit that provides sustainable livelihoods, and also maintains health and hygiene standards. The program, however, goes beyond production and aims to provide knowledge and guidance to all stakeholders, especially adolescent girls so that something as natural as menstruation does not become a thing of shame. This way, young girls in villages and towns will also have access to pads and will know how to use and dispose them in an environmentally conscious manner. They are also working on a plan to launch a 100 per cent compostable sanitary pad in urban India. Email [email protected] to place your orders

All the causes of irregular periods, and what to do if you have them

This designer is changing the conversation around periods

The perfect workout routine for when you're on your period

The perfect skincare routine for when you're dealing with menopause

3 breathing exercises that will help you cool down