Before we jump into the benefits of switching to eco-friendly sanitary pads, let’s understand how and why it is different from regular pads.
Why is regular pad harmful?
A regular pack of sanitary napkin is estimated to be made of up to 90% plastic and could be equivalent to 5 plastic bags. This includes the “fabric” layer, adhesive, absorbent gels, and packaging. Each pad takes about 500-800 years to decompose if it isn’t made of eco-friendly materials. Currently, in India, we’ve over 1 billion used napkins being discarded every month.
Most commercial pads bleach wood pulps to make them look like cotton. This bleaching leaves residue called Dioxin, which causes cancer, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and endometriosis. Side effects often include irritation or burns leading to yeast infections.
Are there alternatives?
Most of us don’t even know there are different type of sanitary pads. Fortunately, there are safe sanitary pads that combat the harmful effects commercial pads have on us and the environment. The solution is pure cotton sanitary napkin. It is that simple. Pads and liners that are made with organic cotton are free from plastics, latex, rayon, chemical additives, dyes, and chlorine bleaching. By switching to organic sanitary products from ones made of plastic or synthetic, your pads are compostable, biodegradable and thus, better for the environment.
Reasons to switch:
For yourself
- Regular pads disrupt your hormonal balance and cause mood swings due to the chemicals in them. Using period pads made from 100% cotton grown ensures safety; it doesn’t alter your hormones, is comfortable, and provides a rash-free experience.
- Unscented organic pads make for a safer option than chemically produced fragrance in commercial pads which often lead to bacterial infections.
- The common misconception is that organic pads cannot handle heavy flow days. The absorption of regular pad comes from sodium polyacrylate, whereas organic pads have a cellulose core that performs perfectly well for heavy flow and has no reaction.
- Antibacterial properties in organic pads neutralize odour, and reduces the chances of infection, and makes for a more comfortable option.
For the environment
The above-mentioned data informs us about all the harmful effects commercial pads can have on the environment. Making the switch to Pink Anee pads means, for every month’s subscription we receive, we plant saplings on behalf of you. Read more about this here. (Add hyperlink)
For the wildlife
Both flushing and dumping synthetic pads in garbage have harmful effects. Pads that are flushed end up in sewers and waterways, on the other hand, ones in our bins end up in landfills. Considering the harmful chemical and plastic present in commercial pads, it has a drastic impact on wildlife both in sea and land alike.
Supporting farmers
We all know agriculture is the backbone of India. By switching to pure cotton sanitary napkin, not only are you making a better choice for you, the environment, and the wildlife, but also supporting the livelihood of cotton farmers who make chemical-free products a possibility!
Are cotton pads different from organic cotton pads?
The distinguishing factors between the two are –
- Water consumption: While regular cotton uses up to 20,000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of cotton, organic cotton is grown using rainwater and cuts down consumption by 80%.
- Organic cotton is grown without the use of insecticides, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. This makes for better farming; no harmful toxins in waterbody and animals.
