So I'm on the third day of my period and I was browsing these sites when I saw an online shop for washable towels and other re usable alternatives.
I saw this chart made on how much money you would save overall in a lifetime of using washable protection instead of buying disposables and I was shocked.
I have just thought about all the waste I will create in my lifetime (I'm 16) and I feel indescribably guilty. It's bad enough with all the toilet paper, but to think that I am creating a mound of unrecyclable waste just because of my gender is heartbreaking - I always do my bit for the environment otherwise.
Talking to my mother about this, she said her generation were encouraged to buy Tampax/Always products because it was pushed as modern and empowering - "Do away with having to wash a peice of cloth, throw away your towels!" "The best trusted protection" etc
When I think about it its true that the advertising for Tampax and Always is very pushy and they leave no consideration for any other forms of protection - I have only just found out about the Mooncup for example - when I first started I thought that Tampax and Always were the only products out there.
These companies know that we will menstruate for a long time, thus they know that as long as they can make us loyal to the brand, they will make money off us.
So I was just thinking, is it wrong that these companies are persuading us to use disposables thus damaging the environment? I know that if I told my friends that I used washable pads, I would be laughed at.
I know this isn't answering your question, but you know what really annoys me?
How much tampon/ sanitary towel dispensers in public toilets charge. It's like £2 for a tampon, they know that if a woman is in a situation where she really needs a tampon she's not going to go buy them elsewhere and they really take advantage of it.
And yes, I always have one in my handbag just in case (so I don't recall ever having to use a dispenser) but still, it annoys me nonetheless.
I know this isn't answering your question, but you know what really annoys me?
How much tampon/ sanitary towel dispensers in public toilets charge. It's like £2 for a tampon, they know that if a woman is in a situation where she really needs a tampon she's not going to go buy them elsewhere and they really take advantage of it.
And yes, I always have one in my handbag just in case (so I don't recall ever having to use a dispenser) but still, it annoys me nonetheless.
I know this isn't answering your question, but you know what really annoys me?
How much tampon/ sanitary towel dispensers in public toilets charge. It's like £2 for a tampon, they know that if a woman is in a situation where she really needs a tampon she's not going to go buy them elsewhere and they really take advantage of it.
And yes, I always have one in my handbag just in case (so I don't recall ever having to use a dispenser) but still, it annoys me nonetheless.
At the end of the day you're on your period and I think many girls as well as myself have enough to worry about when we're on! I'd therefore rather not worry about whether we can recycle the pads/tampons or not!
Well I wouldn't want to wash a pad or whatever, ewww. I get freaked out enough if I've come on in the middle of the night.
But I guess I don't really think about how much I'm spending (£2 every 8 weeks - not that significant in real terms), and I've never thought about my impact on the environment before.
At the end of the day you're on your period and I think many girls as well as myself have enough to worry about when we're on! I'd therefore rather not worry about whether we can recycle the pads/tampons or not!
I know this isn't answering your question, but you know what really annoys me?
How much tampon/ sanitary towel dispensers in public toilets charge. It's like £2 for a tampon, they know that if a woman is in a situation where she really needs a tampon she's not going to go buy them elsewhere and they really take advantage of it.
And yes, I always have one in my handbag just in case (so I don't recall ever having to use a dispenser) but still, it annoys me nonetheless.
So I was just thinking, is it wrong that these companies are persuading us to use disposables thus damaging the environment? I know that if I told my friends that I used washable pads, I would be laughed at.
Discuss.
You have a valid point.
BUT...
If you were going out for the day, or even in College all day or something, would that mean you would have to wear the same pad ALL DAY? I can't really see people wanting to clean them in the public toilet! This seems a bit disgusting to me, as it is recommended that you change your disposable pad or tampon every four hours. Hmmm
Well I wouldn't want to wash a pad or whatever, ewww. I get freaked out enough if I've come on in the middle of the night.
But I guess I don't really think about how much I'm spending (£2 every 8 weeks - not that significant in real terms), and I've never thought about my impact on the environment before.
Could say the same for any product really, razors, water companies, other toiletries like deodorant, soap, kitchen cleaning products. FOOD! How dare they make a profit from my hunger!
It's a market that people want and are willing to pay for.
Well, all companies set out to make money off you, and advertise in a pushy fashion - and an awful lot of things damage the environment. I've never even thought of feeling guilty about damaging the environment by using sanitary products, and I won't be made to feel guilty about it - I will use the cleanest and most convenient method for me, other people do far worse things to the environment. Anyway, as you found out, if you can be bothered to scan the internet/a chemists, you will find other methods.
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Girls - Sanitary protection companies taking advantage
