Did you know that:

• Cloth menstrual pads can be washed and reused for approximately 5 years, while each disposable pad and tampon should be discarded after each use... (Peberdy et al. 2019).

• Cloth menstrual pads are made from biodegradable compounds such as cotton and wool, whereas disposable menstrual pads can take 500 to 800 years to decompose... (Peberdy et al. 2019).

• The cost of buying disposable menstrual pads and tampons for 4 years is approximately $540, while for $70 you can buy a cup and cloth menstrual pads that you can wash and reuse for approximately 5 years... (Mathews 2020).

References:

Mathews, L. 2020. The Environmental Impact of Menstrual Products. LeafScore. https://www.leafscore.com/eco-friendly-bath-products/environmental-impact-of-menstrual-products/ [Accessed on June 4, 2021].

Peberdy, E., A. Jones, and D. Green. 2019. A Study into Public Awareness of the Environmental Impact of Menstrual Products and Product Choice. Sustainability, 11, 473; doi:10.3390/su11020473.

Author: Maria E. Ocasio Torres, Ph.D.
Bachelor's Degree in Coastal Marine Biology from the University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
D. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras