Sanitary Products
It really isn’t pretty – 24.6 million people using packaged toilet paper each day amounts to immense manufacturing demand. That’s bad news for trees, water reserves and, well, the air we all breathe. While it’s become a cultural necessity (until someone comes up with an alternative, or Aussies adopt the bidet in a much bigger way) there are still BETTER options.
And that goes for feminine hygiene too. Unlike toilet tissue, the majority of these products won’t break down in sewerage and septic systems, but will endure in landfill for some 800 years! On average, each Australian woman will use a staggering 10,000-12,000 disposable menstrual products in her lifetime. By simply trying a more sustainable alternative (or even moving to a combination of available options) there is huge potential to reduce waste.
Definitely Worth IT
Toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap. While it’s well-known for its charitable side (donating 50% of profits to build toilets), the Melbourne-based company makes its products without cutting down trees.
‘Period-friendly’ underwear, swimwear, and activewear from Modibodi – with their high-tech innovative fabrics and appealing designs, this homegrown brand has you covered, from menstruation to breastfeeding. No disposables needed!
Menstrual cups from JuJu – another trailblazing innovation, these Australian-made reusable, medical-grade silicon cups can’t be faulted; they are convenient, economical, hygienic and eco-friendly. Available in four different shape/volume models they come with a simple user guide, and any concerns you might have can be quashed here.
Tampons and pantyliners from Tsuno – for rare situations when you do need a disposable, these products are a good go-to. Made from certified organic cotton and natural bamboo fibres, Melbourne-based Tsuno don’t think ‘pesticides or synthetics are cool in our bodies or the environment’. They also donate an impressive 50% of profits to education and hygiene support for those less fortunate.
Tampons, pads, and nappies from Tom Organic – this Australian B Corp certified company took out ‘Australian Organic Business Of The Year’ in 2017. Their products are made from certified organic cotton, are 100% biodegradable, and packaging is recyclable as well as FSC certified.