Strategic solutions for a sustainable world
SUSTAINABILITY IN FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS
ADVOCATING REUSABLE CLOTH NAPKINS OVER
DISPOSABLE SANITARY NAPKINS
BINDU and MIN
info@earthandus.org
Our formula for changing consumption
behaviour for greater sustainability
Accurate data
Simple
Communication
Behaviour
Change
Behaviour
Change
From disposable pads to reusable pads
Accurate data
Simple
Communication
Why feminine hygiene products?
Behaviour
Change
Collective impact in India
One woman disposes 125 kg of sanitary napkins in her menstruating life
time
355,000,000 women X 125 kg = 44,375,000,000 kgs of sanitary napkins
Accurate
Data
What does a disposable pad (DP) contain?
Super Absorbent
Acrylate
Polymers (gel) 0.6 gm
Bleached cellulose
wood pulp 4.5 gm
Perforated plastic
top layer 1.1 gm
Polypropylene back
sheet 0.96 gm
Silicon paper 0.67 gm
Hot melt seal 0.45 gm
Hot melt positioning seal 0.14 gm
Accurate
Data
?
Disposal of DP: Social and
Env. Impact
=
=
OR
Infections
through
skin contact
500-800 years to decompose
Releases toxins into the soil
Disposal of DP: Social and Env. Impact
Release of dioxin, furans,
and asphyxiant gases into
the environment
=
=
=
=
?
Accurate
Data
Diseases
and
Death
Accurate
Data
What does an Eco Femme pad
contain?
Cotton and
Polyeutherate Layer
Unbleached
cotton flannel
Brushed cotton flannel
with non-toxic dyes
Accurate
Data
Eco Femme pad: Impacts
Environmental
impacts:
•Usage = water & soap
over 360 washes during
the life of the product
•Disposal in landfill
(minimal toxins from
polyeutharate layer)
Health impacts =
negligible
Social impact =
positive benefits
Simple
Communic
ation
Awareness campaigns
Behaviour
Change
Changing attitudes towards cloth
pads
Cloth is not inherently unhygienic; DSNs are not really sanitary
What is really ‘convenient’ or ‘inconvenient’?
What are the lines between fact and opinion? Can they change?
Behaviour
Change
Choose the most ethical cloth pad
Accurate data
Simple
Communication
Behaviour
Change
Our vision: Develop an online rating system
Nudge consumers to ethical choices
Shove corporations to making ethical products
Cross-systems and cross-scale changes
Behaviour
Change
Government
“Hug”: Distribute
reusable pads for free
“Smack” corporations
through law
enforcement
Individual Change:
Try reusable products
Convince others
Social Organizations
Empower women by
breaking taboos &
open dialogues
Request from us for the earth
• Start manufacturing units of quality cloth
pads (we will provide the consultancy)
• Support research and development into
cloth pads
• Support advocacy of cloth pads in
mainstream society
Thank you
earthandus.org