Period · 7 min read
Sustainable period products: 4 tips for making the switch
Period products are among the waste items most frequently found on beaches. Every year, 45 billion tampons and pads are used worldwide. Zero Waste Europe estimates that disposable period products generate around 590,000 tonnes of waste in EU countries each year. Waste that simply doesn't have to be. Because unlike 20 or 30 years ago, there are now plenty of alternatives. Here's how you can switch to sustainable period products.
Zero Waste period
Through our cycle, we are tangibly connected to the earth. So shouldn't we give something back to her? And by that we certainly don't mean rubbish! Most menstrual products are disposable items that end up in the bin – or worse, in the sewers or in nature. Back in 2017, we already said “ciao” to the unnecessary waste created by period products such as pads or tampons. “Hello Less Waste” – sustainable period products like cloth pads, cloth panty liners, period underwear or menstrual cups are washable and can therefore be reused many times over many years. Here we introduce the sustainable alternatives to tampons, pads and co.
Sustainable period products
The menstrual cup as a sustainable alternative
The sustainable alternative to tampons: the menstrual cup
The menstrual cup is a small cup – usually made of silicone – that is used to collect period blood during your period, which is why it's often also called a period cup. A menstrual cup replaces disposable products such as pads and tampons because, unlike them, the menstrual cup can be used again and again. When the menstrual cup is full – which, depending on how heavy your flow is, can be after roughly 4–12 hours – it is simply emptied, cleaned and then reused. On average, a menstrual cup lasts around 10 years. If you want to know more about finding the right menstrual cup for you, just read our guide “Which menstrual cup should I buy?”. By the way, we want every menstruator to be able to afford our sustainable period products. That's why our menstrual cups and period underwear are relatively inexpensive compared with many other products on the market and come at a very fair price.
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Washable cloth pads & panty liners
The sustainable alternative to disposable pads & liners: washable cloth pads and panty liners
Did you know that the total packaging of individually wrapped disposable pads amounts to roughly four plastic bags? Madness! And yet the sustainable alternatives hardly differ from the disposable products. So why not switch right away? Cloth pads and cloth panty liners are used in much the same way as regular pads and liners. They are placed in your underwear and fastened – usually with a press stud or a kind of clip-in system. Our washable pads and panty liners feature our self-developed and patented SELENAtec® multi-layer technology. It consists of several breathable layers that absorb moisture immediately and lock it away inside. That way you always have a dry and, above all, fresh feeling while wearing them. An antibacterial layer also prevents unpleasant odours and bacteria from developing. No disposable pad or panty liner can compete with that!
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Period underwear as a sustainable alternative
The sustainable alternative to disposables like pads & tampons: the all-rounder – period underwear
Everyone who menstruates should feel comfortable – that was our motivation when developing period underwear. Period pants are knickers with an integrated absorbent core – essentially a pad and knickers in one. Unlike pads or panty liners, however, nothing is inserted into period pants: the protection is built right in. In the gusset area there is a bacteria-inhibiting membrane system that absorbs liquid and can therefore completely replace tampons and pads.
The functional layer (SELENAtec®) of our period pants consists of four layers:
1. The Dry-Layer wicks moisture away quickly
2. The Lockup-Layer safely collects blood.
3. The Protect-Layer for maximum leak protection.
4. The Sensitive-Layer for a comfortable feel.
Despite the many layers, the membrane system is very thin (less than 4 millimetres). You can read more about how the individual layers work in our guide “How does period underwear work?”.
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Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of sustainable period hygiene has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
After use, the pants are simply washed and can then be worn again. Say goodbye to leaking at night: the absorbent area in our period pants is much larger than that of a pad, and we've paid particular attention to the back. So you can sleep through the night with peace of mind. From the outside, the technology is also completely invisible – no one can tell you're wearing period underwear.
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4 tips for switching to sustainable period products
Alongside menstrual cups, washable pads and panty liners, period underwear is one of the sustainable hygiene products for your period. What all these products have in common is that they can be used again and again – for years. That makes period underwear ideal for beginners, i.e. young menstruators who have no experience yet with menstrual cups, tampons or pads. But we can recommend these “wonder pants” to all other menstruators too, as they are super practical and comfortable to wear without any nappy-like feeling. Period pants are just as pleasant and comfortable to wear as regular underwear.
4 tips to make the switch to sustainable period products easy
No question, every beginning is hard – all the more so when you've been used to something for years. So we've put together a few tips to make the switch as easy as possible:
1. Start with a product you already know
Almost every menstruator has used pads or panty liners at some point. The principle is clear, and there are no big surprises waiting. Simply try out how you get on with washing the liners you place in your underwear. If that works well for you, you can move on to period underwear in the next step without any hesitation.
2. Step by step
Nobody expects you to switch your entire period to sustainable products overnight. Definitely use up your remaining stock of disposables first. If you've bought washable products and feel unsure, it's best not to start with the new products right on the first day of your period. For most people, the first two days are when the period is heaviest and often accompanied by discomfort. Don't add extra stress here.
3. Take your time and get familiar with the products
The menstrual cup in particular simply takes a little practice. Our tip: if you're toying with the idea of using a menstrual cup, we recommend our guide “Menstrual cups for beginners: everything you need to know for your first time”. Get familiar with the folding techniques. Perhaps practise inserting and removing the cup even when you're not on your period. If your vagina tends to be on the dry side, wet the cup beforehand with warm water or lubricant. You can find more about menstrual cup folding techniques in our guide “Inserting a menstrual cup: the best folding techniques for pain-free insertion & removal”. You can easily test how cloth pads or panty liners feel to wear (they aren't stuck in place like disposables but fastened with a press stud) outside your period too. The same goes for period underwear. All these products are also well suited to absorbing discharge.
4. Keep enough back-ups to hand
Very few people have a precise idea of how much blood they lose during their period. How could they? All the common products on the market absorb the blood. Really, you only get that insight if you use a menstrual cup, since it only collects the blood. Until you feel completely comfortable with the new products, always carry a spare – that way you won't get stressed if something goes astray or the absorbency limit is reached. (With the menstrual cup this isn't necessary, of course, but even here it doesn't hurt to carry a tampon or pad until you've got the hang of it.) If you're out and about a lot, we recommend carrying a resealable zip bag containing your spare pants or pad/liner. After changing, you can safely store the used period product in it until you next have the chance to wash it.
Buy sustainable period products online
Online, you have the full range of sustainable hygiene products at your fingertips. In our online shop you'll find not only period products such as menstrual cups, period underwear, panty liners and pads, but also underwear for bladder weakness.
Buy sustainable period products in stores
For anyone who doesn't want to wait for their online order to arrive, you can also conveniently pick up our products on your next shopping trip. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland you'll find our products in stores at: dm, Müller, BIPA, Budni, denn's Biomarkt, Globus, Kaufland, coop and MIGROS.
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