Sustainable menstruation

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Sustainable menstruation refers to the use of environmentally-friendly and responsible menstrual products. [1]

It is estimated that the average woman will bleed for an average of 40 years which can amount to upwards of 200 kg of menstrual product waste a year. To combat this environmental challenge, advocates of sustainable menstruation promote the use of reusable products such as cloth menstrual pads, menstrual cups and period underwear, and also sustainably-produced biodegradable disposable products. [2] Such practices reduce the waste created by disposable products (tampons and pads) made of non-biodegradable materials. [3] [4]

There is some concern that by focusing on menstruation as a focus in discussions in waste, it further stigmatizes menstruation by blaming women for problems they didn't create. In India, 6% of non-biodegradable waste is created by hygiene products including menstruation products, wipes and diapers. [5]

References

  1. "Let's talk about sustainable menstruation". The Times of India . Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  2. "Ultimate Guide to a Sustainable Period" . Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  3. Mehrotra, Ayesha (29 April 2018). "Sustainable Menstruation- The Impact of Menstrual Products on the Environment". Medium.com. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  4. "Green the red: Indian city breaks taboos for "sustainable..." Reuters. 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  5. Bobel, Chris (2018-10-19). The Managed Body: Developing Girls and Menstrual Health in the Global South. Springer. ISBN   9783319894140.