Reducing the amount of plastic we use in our day-to-day lives is an ongoing effort. From coffee cups to shopping bags, there are plastic-free alternatives [1] for so many of our everyday items — including period products. Menstrual items are arguably one of the worst contributors to plastic pollution yet are a necessity. A shocking 1.5 to 2 billion menstrual products which contain plastic are flushed down Britain's toilets [2] every single year. Their journey will usually lead them to rot in landfills or float around polluting the oceans.
Plastic pollution is harmful to everyone — humans, animals, and plants included. And that's mainly because it takes hundreds of years to decompose, releasing toxic pollutants as it does. Even if you're binning your pads and tampons, they're still harming the environment if they're full of plastic (and FYI, your average disposable period pad is made of 90 percent plastic [3]). The only way to truly have a sustainable period is to shop for plastic-free products.
A fifth of British women have purchased period underwear in the last year [4], and a third said they are interested in purchasing some in the future. Brands are stepping up, too, with more and more companies ditching plastic packaging and applicators. It's fairly easy to find reusable tampons and pads, plastic-free menstrual cups, and period gym-wear, and they are the answer to feeling good physically and morally.
If you've been curious about how to have a plastic-free and sustainable period, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up some of the best eco-friendly period products.
— Additional reporting by Tori Crowther
Plastic-Free Period Products: Fluus
It's hard to believe these haven't existed for years, but flushable period pads have finally arrived. Fluus [5] offers completely plastic-free, fully biodegradable pads that are made from plant fibres which are fully absorbent and then break down when flushed in the toilet. Yes, no more awkward sanitary bins needed, and you don't need to feel guilty when you flush. While most period products can be stuck in landfill for over 500 years, these are broken down and turned into clean water, renewable energy, and fertiliser when it arrives at the water treatment centre. Order the non-toxic Flushable Day Pads [6] (£5 for 15) as a monthly subscription or a one-off purchase and halve your carbon footprint in the proces. Pure genius!
Plastic-Free Period Products: DAME
DAME created the world's first reusable tampon applicator [7] (£17), which so far, has prevented a staggering 12 million single-use applicators from being thrown away. If you're a tampon girl through and through, switching to this applicator and its matching organic cotton tampons [8] (£8) will be a huge step towards sustainability. The tampons are stocked in Boots, so you're less likely to be caught slipping. The brand also sells reusable pads [9], which come in pantyliner (£10), regular (£11), and night pad (£12) sizes. They're ultra-thin, ultra-soft, ultra-absorbent, and really easy to wash. Nice job, DAME.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Modibodi
One POPSUGAR-favourite period-pant brand [10] is Modibodi. Every single product on the site is plastic free, and the brand has recently launched a Biodegradable Brief [11] (£34), which is made from a combination of natural and bioengineered synthetic textiles (basically, they're good for the environment and super stretchy and comfy). These knickers can be washed more than 100 times, which is pretty impressive.
Elsewhere on the site, Modibodi caters to babies and adults of all genders. The brand makes leak-proof swimwear [12], activewear [13], and sensual undies [14] for when you want to feel a little sexier. We love the brand's totally stylish collaboration with PUMA [15] that completely replaces the need for pads and tampons. The products, from leggings to briefs, wick moisture, sweat, fluid and odour to keep you feeling fresh as you train, without the discomfort of disposables. And they're 100 percent plastic free.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Hey Girls
By purchasing from UK-based brand Hey Girls, (which was founded by a mother and her two daughters) you're getting a trifecta of goodness. You're buying an eco-friendly alternative to period pads, saving money in the long run, and the brand operates a buy one, donate one scheme whereby for each product sold, Hey Girls donates a product to someone in need. If you're starting out in your reusable period pad journey, we recommend trying the Hey Girls Reusable Period Night Pads [16] (£36 for five pads and a wet bag).
Plastic-Free Period Products: BeYou
If you're looking for an even more sustainable option, consider a period cup such as the BeYou Menstrual Cup [17] (£15). Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years, which drastically reduces single-use waste over the years. They hold up to three tampons worth and are super easy to clean. BeYou has a quiz so you can even work out the cost saving when using a cup versus a pad or tampon. However, cups are definitely a product that take some getting used to, and isn't an ideal option for everyone, including people who have an IUD.
Plastic-Free Period Products: TOTM
TOTM [18] (Time of the Month) prides itself on tackling the issue of period plastics. The products are made without fragrance, synthetic absorbents, and chlorine bleach — basically anything that has the potential to cause irritation. To make sure you're never without them, TOTM offers a subscription service full of your preferred sanitary products. TOTM is stocked in Tesco, Superdrug, and Ocado, so the brand is super easy to get hold of.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Flo
Another great, accessible period-brand option is Flo. The products come in the cutest ice-cream-tub packaging and are 100 percent plastic free. Available at Boots and Boots.com, Flo tampons [19] (£4) and pads [20] (£3) are really affordable. The pads are made from organic bamboo and wrapped in biodegradable plant-based wrappers (they're also incredibly soft and comfortable). The tampons are made from recyclable sugarcane, and no chlorine bleach, synthetic fibres, dyes, fragrances, or allergens are used during the process. Result! If you're super forgetful, use the brand's handy subscription service. It's customisable based on your cycle and needs, so you won't be caught unprepared.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Ohne
If you didn't think tampons could be trendy, wait until you meet Ohne. Think of it as the Glossier of periods. Ohne [21] specialises in tampons that come either with (from £6) or without a cardboard applicator (from £5). To make sure you're never stuck without a supply, you can opt into its subscription services to get your favourite products delivered to your door. The brand also makes the most subtle period pants [22] (£27). They are super effective and literally look like your average pair of knickers, which is a bonus. Ohne has also become known for its CBD period-cramp oil [23]; some customers (and the brand's cofounder) even add a drop to their tampons before inserting, but please speak to your doctor before doing this. No one wants unwanted irritation (or worse) down there.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Freda
One of the most beautiful period brands out there has to be Freda [24]. The brand offers tampons [25] (from £3.60, depending on absorbency and quantity), various pads [26], and teen starter packs [27] that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and chlorine-free. Freda is completely transparent that it still uses some plastic packaging, however reassuring customers that it is recyclable.
Plastic-Free Period Products: WUKA
WUKA is one of the most size-inclusive and body-positive period-pant ranges on the market, catering from size XXS to 6XL. The products really pack a punch, too, holding from two to six tampons' worth of period blood. Offering all kinds of period clothing, from sport shorts and swimwear to leggings and hipsters, you'll find exactly what you need at WUKA. Our favourite is the genius WUKA Flex [28] (£16), which is the world's first adjustable period pant. These nifty little knickers allow you to change your period pants without the need to undress.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Saalt
Saalt exclusively creates clean, high-performance products using medical-grade, 100 percent recyclable materials. Everything Saalt makes is really beautiful. From Himalayan Pink period cups [29] (£25) to lace leakproof underwear [30] (£32), the brand is making periods feel prettier and more sustainable.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Nixit
Nixit's disc-style menstrual cups [31] (£36) are made from 100 percent medical-grade silicone and arrive at your door in a plastic-free, reusable box. In 3.5 years on the market, Nixit has diverted over 4.2 million pounds of period product waste from landfill! The difference between discs and cups is that discs sit in the vaginal fornix, right under the cervix, rather than in the vaginal canal where tampons and other cups sit. It tucks behind the pubic bone and relies on one's anatomy to stay in place, rather than creating a seal with suction. Because of this, many people with IUDs prefer discs.