12 Sustainable Period Products You Can Switch to Today

RIP to the countless panties I’ve lost in my lifetime to my period. Some were old, some were new, and some were so comfy that it physically pained me to part with them. And while they all had their differences, they all fell victim to the same culprit—my menstrual cycle.

Now, while Aunt Flo has become a more predictable visitor over the years, the products I use have not. You hear horror stories about chemical-laden tampons, and environmentally unfriendly pads but in a market saturated with “pick me!” products, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s-what when it comes to taking care of the lady garden.

So here’s a list of eco-friendly, organic, and sustainable period products broken into sub-categories of panties, pads, tampons, and cups to maximize inclusivity!

Bleed away ladies, because I gotchu.

Top to bottom, left to right: Rael | Cora | eco club member Viv | DivaCup | AWWA | Saalt | Knix | Thinx | OrganiCup | Aisle | DAME | Lola

PANTY PARTY

I refuse to believe there is anything more annoying than waking up to that time of the month, only to realize you never stocked up from the last. Cue period panties, which effectively cut out the middle-(wo)man and let you go about your day.

While Thinx may have pioneered the period-panty movement and expanded into a whole slew of options, companies like Knix has built on that foundation to further emphasize sustainable products. Same with New Zealand-based AWWA, who’s company focuses on size-inclusivity, as well as creating a negative carbon footprint with their business. 

PADDED FOR SECURITY

I KNOW for a fact we hate the weird diaper vibes of pads, but sometimes you’re just too lazy to pop a tampon in there (no judgement). With Viv’s biodegradable bamboo liners, you can go about your day knowing your pads are not only earth friendly, but also more absorbent than a traditional cotton pad! LOLA pads differ from Viv in that they follow the traditional cotton-based formula, whilst incorporating wings to their products for added security. And for those of your *really* dedicated to making a sustainable switch, Aisle makes reusable cotton pads that snap on to your underwear. 

TICKLED BY TAMPONS

Okay, hear me out—reusable tampon applicators are a thing. I know, I was a little mind-blown too, but after a wildly successful Kickstarter, Dame has become the first of its kind to boast that feat. You have to purchase the applicator separately from the tampons, but with one reusable applicator you inevitably avoid all the plastic waste of regular tampons.

Rael tampons follow a similar eco-friendly route, but do so by offering tampons that come with either a BPA-free applicator, a plant-based applicator, or a cardboard applicator. And Cora’s organic cotton tampons come with, or without, a BPA-free applicator, with a percentage of each purchase going towards providing products to end period poverty in India, Kenya, and the US. 

HOLD MY CUP

At this point I think it’s safe to say that we all know what the DivaCup is. They may have been met with some skepticism when they first launched in 2003, but 10+ years later menstrual cups are as common as pads and tampons. DivaCup is by far the most accessible brand, available at pretty much any Target, or pharmacy store, and consequently the easiest choice for someone looking to transition to a more earth friendly period.

Saalt offers regular and soft cups with no BPAs, latex, or chemicals, and a portion of each purchase goes to donate period goods and fund menstrual health initiatives. OrganiCups come in three size options to accommodate a range of women from teens, to women who have given birth vaginally. Their cups are made of AllergyCertified silicone, and come in eco-friendly packaging.

Tell us which alternative seems like the best fit for your lifestyle!