Plastic hygiene products generate 200,000 tons of waste a year

Plastic menstrual hygiene products are harmful to the human body and the environment, experts say.

“A lot of the material in tampons and sanitary pads is plastic,” said John Lue, chief of general obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical College of Georgia. “These products are toxic and can release hydrocarbons into the water system. In fact, if you look at most people, we have some plastic in our system today because of all the plastics we use.”

About 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, according to experts. While many of these products end up in a landfill, others clog sewers or contribute to the staggering amount of plastics in oceans.

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, a California State University student led initiative, revealed that disposable products are responsible for the following:

Plastic menstrual products generate more than 200,000 tons of waste per year.
Most feminine hygiene products are made up of plastic and are non-biodegradable, taking approximately 500 to 800 years to decompose.
Pads and tampons usually contain pesticide residues, bleach, and phthalates that can cause harm to the body.

Lue said some people are unaware that sanitary pads are made up of plastic.

“Most people don’t think of pads as having plastic in them,” said Lue. “The sticky part of the lining that holds the cotton fiber onto the pad for absorption is plastic. So, actually pads generally have a little bit more plastic than tampons.”

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Want a more eco-friendly alternative?

Menstrual cup: Usually made of silicone, menstrual cups can last up to 12 years. They are safe and easy to use: dump, rinse, and reinsert the cup.
Reusable pads: These are thin and flexible, but can absorb more than a regular disposable pad. They can also last up to five years. They are safe and easy to use: dump, rinse, and reinsert a cup.
Period underwear: Many affordable period underwear brands out there can hold 3 to 5 teaspoons of menstrual blood. Period underwear is absorbent and washable.
Plastic-free applicators: If you want to start by cutting out plastic applicators, this may be your best bet. These work just like tampons, but without the plastic.

“There are several different items on the market that you can use,” said Lue. “The question people need to address is, how committed are they to the environment? Something can be done about eliminating plastic waste. Reusable feminine hygiene products can save you money in the long run and save the environment. And you can use them for up to six months. Prior to the 1900s women used reusable products and survived.”

Co-founder of Dani Parks said the organization which was established in 2017 is dedicated to partnering with mothers and educating adolescent girls between 8 and 12 years old.

“I created a seminar for mothers and daughters on just educating girls and their moms about puberty, period, mental health awareness as well as physical safety for women,” said Parks. “One of the things we teach is proper disposal. We tell them how to wrap them up in the pack that it comes in and to never flush them. We make sure that they understand what non-biodegradable means.”

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This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32.

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