When you decide to reduce your waste and are someone who gets their period, a time comes when you have to face the issue of wasteful conventional menstrual products. That’s when you start asking yourself: how to have a zero waste period?
Did you know that an individual uses about 11.000 disposable period products in a lifetime? Each year, over 45 billion feminine hygiene products are disposed of globally. On average, a menstruating human has about 450 periods in their life. That’s a lot of periods. And a lot of disposables sent to landfill. Pads and tampons contain plastic and take up to 500 years to degrade. The average pad actually contains the equivalent of 4 plastic bags!
Beyond that, conventional menstrual products contain chemicals, which not only end up polluting our soils and water, but are also detrimental to our health. Conventional white cotton is grown with pesticides and contains bleach. Not really something we should be willing to absorb in our bodies…
So what are the options?
Period underwear are becoming more and more popular. They are underwear that contain highly absorbent padding. Washable period pads are also pretty popular. But even before I started reducing my waste, I wasn’t a fan of pads. I needed something easy and discrete that could replace my tampons.
And that is exactly why I love menstrual cups so much, particularly my Organicup. They are super easy to use, hygienic, safe and sustainable. They are a zero waste period must-have!
A menstrual cup is simply a silicone device that you insert in your vagina, let it collect the blood over time, and then empty, rinse and insert again! When I wear it, I can live my life in the exact same way as when I’m not menstruating, I can work out, swim, I sleep with it and only have to empty it twice a day. It is truly life-changing!
Also, menstrual cups save so much money! A menstrual cup is meant to be used for 10 years. The Organicup costs 24€ (19,20€ if you use the code NOUR20), while we spend over 1000€ on tampons and pads over that same amount of time. By having a zero waste period, you’re being kind to the planet, your body and to your wallet!
Why Organicup over another brand?
I have tried my fair share of menstrual cups. Some with which I’ve had pretty bad experiences, others that were good, but none of them was as satisfying as Organicup to me.
I recently got a copper IUD placed, which is making my flow much heavier, and I haven’t had any issues with my Organicup.
Not only is it the perfect zero waste period ally, as it works perfectly, doesn’t leak and cannot be felt, but the brand’s ethics and transparency are what makes it stand out the most.
We vote with our money. When I purchase something, I want to make sure I am supporting a brand that aligns with my values. And Organicup sure does.
Since Organicup was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2012, the brand has made it its mission to not only create the most ethical and sustainable product, but also to be inclusive of all genders, using gender neutral and inclusive terminology.
The brand also does its best to destroy the taboos and shame that have been associated with menstruations for way too long.
In an effort to be completely transparent, Organicup is totally open about the product. The cup is made in 100% medical grade silicone that is certified hypoallergenic, it is vegan and cruelty free, and comes in a minimal cardboard package with a storage pouch made from unbleached organic cotton.
And my favourite thing about Organicup: they work with different organisations around the world, that aim to combat period poverty, by educating people in developing countries about menstruations and donating them menstrual cups.
Oh, and the Organicup now even comes in a new mini size for teenagers!
To learn how to use the cup, read the guide on their website: https://www.organicup.com/how-to-use-a-menstrual-cup/
To get your own cup, follow this link and use the code NOUR20 for 20% off: https://www.organicup.com/product/organicup/