For nature and hygiene: Reusable menstrual products
Reusable menstrual products — most of you won’t read further. But if you do, think how cloth has been replaced by disposable neatly packed and highlypriced sanitary napkins.
There are, however, some NGOs in India that have taken to making reusable menstrual products for the sake of the environment. “Men think, menstruation is a women’s issue and women think it’s related to sex. So it’s often not discussed,” says Om Prakash, program manager at Udaipurbased NGO Jatan Sansthan, which makes Uger Pads, reusable sanitary napkins. Shaped exactly like the usually available pads, these reusable pads are made of cloth and have two buttons switched at the back to ensure that it is attached to the undergarment.
According to a research, in a family, if there are three women, the cost of the total purchase of sanitary napkins can go up to a lakh per annum. “You can use old cotton clothes and make a pad at home. It won’t cost more than `80. Some women face allergies after using sanitary pads available in the market, yet they keep using them for the lack of an alternative,” says Prakash, whose organisation provides a pack of two reusable pads for `240.
A major share of nonbiodegradable garbage comprises diapers and sanitary napkins. “One reusable pad can be used and washed for 45 times. When buried, it degrades within three months,” says Prakash.
Most of the NGOs, who make these reusable products, sell their wares online and say that women are now more open to reusable menstrual products than earlier. “We’ve seen a 40% growth in our last year’s domestic online sales across India. This growth is because of the increased awareness of eco-friendly products in India,” says Laura from Eco Femme, who sell manufactured pads in 23 countries. A reusable pad is recommended to be changed in every five hours whereas a menstrual cup needs to be removed, washed, reinserted every eight hours and a good quality menstrual cup can possibly last for an entire menstrual age of a female! “When we conduct sessions, out of 100, 40 women switch immediately. The rest follow when they receive positive feedback from -peers,” says Bharti Kannan, founder, Boondh NGO - that makes sustainable menstrual cups.
So, this Menstrual Hygiene Day, are you thinking of nature along with hygiene?
One good reusable sanitary pad can be used and washed 45 times, in normal tap water OM PRAKASH, PROGRAM MANAGER, JATAN SANSTHAN