I am past menopause so I no longer have to worry about my periods. I do however have three daughters and each month I witness the amount of waste that sanitary products cause. And that’s just our house. I was sent an e-mail with the title, Do Good with Your Period and I was instantly intrigued about their reusable pads.
The e-mail was from Trade to Aid Who offer reusable sanitary pads. At first I was a little horrified, the though of having to wash the pads. But I was happy to find out more about the products and to be honest, washing them is a lot less horrifying than emptying the bathroom bin and adding all that waste to landfill.
Disposable sanitary products contribute millions of tons of plastic to landfill every year. Each woman can use between 5 and 15 thousand pads or tampons during their lifetime, the vast majority of which end up in landfill or polluting the oceans.
I was sent a box of six pads which I decided to give to Boo, my 14 year old.
Trade To Aid Reusable Sanitary Pads
My first thoughts were how lovely and colourful they were. The pads were well presented in a box which contained detailed instructions for use on both the box cover and in an enclosed leaflet. It also gave information as to why it was important to switch to reusable sanitary products and how they help the environment.
Inside the box there was also a colourful bag. This is to put your used pads in ready for washing. I can then pop the bag into the wash with her pants which I always wash separately anyway. If you wish you can run the bag through some cold water before washing in the machine. Or you could simply hand wash in warm soapy water. It’s really not as bad as I first imagined.
The pads them selves are very soft and colourful. They have a 100% recycled plastic waterproof membrane and are constructed from bamboo charcoal which is free from synthetic and nasty additives that are found in disposable pads. So not only are they good for the environment, they are kind to your body.
Boo was a little worried at first, but when she used a disposable pad she wraps it up in a plastic wrapper and puts it in the bathroom bin. With these reusable pads all she has to do is fold it over and fasten it,(instructions enclosed but it’s real easy) and pop it in the washing bag instead. The washing bag has a zipper to lock it away.
Personally, I think they are amazing and I’m almost jealous that I no longer have my periods!
The box I was sent for review had 6 pads, two light flow, two medium and two heavy (Great for overnight.) Also included was one waterproof bag. You can pop this in your handbag for pad changes away from home. The cost of the box is £29.97 but they are used over and over and they help save the environment too. But there is more!
Trade To Aid – End Period Poverty
This piece is a statement from Trade to Aid:
Our mission is to alleviate period poverty around the globe.
- No child missing school because of their period.
- No woman missing work because of their period.
- No girls or women banished to separate huts or outhouses when on their period.
- Alleviating the taboo of periods and myths surrounding period products.
- Providing menstrual hygiene education.
- Providing education for men and women to better understand what periods are and why they happen.
- Facilitating easy, low-cost access to sustainable period products.
Emergency Kits for Refugees
We provide women and girls in refugee camps with sanitary products to support them on their periods.
For every pack of pads you buy from Trade To Aid, we give a free pack to someone in need in a refugee camp.
Doing Your Part
So, by buying reusable pads you are not only protecting your body and saving the environment from unnecessary waste, you are also helping women in need to get the products they really need.
Would you consider using reusable period pads?
