Eco-menstruation is a trend that is unfortunately often misunderstood.
We tend to exaggerate the “eco-friendly” qualities of certain hygiene products. What about biodegradable sanitary pads, which are becoming increasingly popular among female consumers? What are biodegradable sanitary pads and why are they a better choice?
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What are biodegradable sanitary pads?
Let's start with the basics, namely what biodegradability actually is.
It is a feature that can be attributed to products that are capable of being broken down by microorganisms in a completely natural environment. Thus, fungi and bacteria, among others, participate in the decomposition of such products.
Biodegradable sanitary pads are hygiene products that, after use and proper sorting, will decompose efficiently through natural processes. Thus, the negative impact on the environment will be minimized.
However, for environmentally friendly sanitary pads to decompose in this way, they must be made of appropriate materials. The plastic content must be minimized, which is difficult to achieve in commonly available sanitary pads. Surprised?
So what should you look for when choosing sanitary pads?
First, the origin of the non-woven fabric that comes into contact with the skin – is it plant-based or biodegradable?
Second, the “film” that protects the pad from leakage – is it biodegradable?
What is the absorbent core of the pad made of?
Are biodegradable sanitary pads the same as eco-friendly sanitary pads?
Did you know that eco-friendly is not the same as biodegradable? Using these two terms interchangeably is a mistake. A few words of explanation:
Biodegradable sanitary pads will decompose quickly through natural processes, as will any other biodegradable product. “Eco” is a more general term – it covers a wide range of aspects, including the origin of materials, production methods, transport, and product disposal. There are currently several recognized certifications in Europe that reliably verify the eco-friendliness of a product, such as the EU Ecolabel.
The EU Ecolabel means that products with this label have been designed in such a way that their negative impact on the environment is minimized throughout the entire product life cycle – from raw material extraction, through production, packaging, and transport, to disposal.
A product can also be classified as eco-friendly if it is not biodegradable but, for example, is perfectly suitable for recycling. Biodegradability is not always an indicator of eco-friendliness when we look at the entire product life cycle.
Sanitary pad facts
Now for some facts!
· Standard sanitary pads may contain plastic, which takes an average of 450 years to decompose.
· Each of us uses several thousand sanitary pads and tampons throughout our lives.
· On average, we use about 130 kg of disposable intimate hygiene products throughout our lives.
Biodegradable sanitary pads
By choosing eco-friendly products, such as biodegradable sanitary pads or sanitary pads with an eco-label, you are taking care of both yourself and the environment. Estimates show that by 2050, there will be more plastic than aquatic animals in the seas and oceans. Scary, isn't it?
Plastic not only takes a long time to decompose, but also harms living creatures. So we encourage you to read the ingredients of products and pay attention to reliable certifications.
