Are tampons more environmentally friendly than pads?

Question

Are tampons more environmentally friendly than pads?

Answer 1

green natives use green moss

Answer 2

Neither or good for the environment or for you.

You can find washable pads or use sponges as tampons. Also look into the Diva cup.

ecowise.com has washable cloth organic cotton pads.

Answer 3

I've seen something called a Diva Cup, but I get sick just thinking about it.  I use the OB tampons since there are no applicators associated with them.  However, I participated in Beach Sweeps and there are lots of tampons on the shore.  I don't know an easy answer to this.  Maybe the pads and tampons in the oganic section break down faster?  I stuggle with this one as well.  Let me know if you find a reasonable answer.

Answer 4

Weird that two guys answered the question first;)

The cotton used to make both pads and tampons are drenched in pesticides.  Once the cotton is harvested it travels a long distance to manufacturing plants that use bleach to “clean” the cotton.  Then they are packaged heavily and shipped all across the country.  Then you use them and throw a whole lot of waste away.  Bad bad bad.  They have bad carbon footprints and create a LOT of waste.  They also contain bleach and pesticides that you are putting into your body.

They make reusable feminine hygiene products.  The Diva Cup, Luna Pads, and sea sponge tampons are good choices.  If you’re not ready to go the reusable route, you can get organic cotton tampons and pads.  They still create waste, but they are not made with bleach and pesticides.

Answer 5

The Greenest thing you can do is to get cloth pads that you can wash. Before you get the "ick" factor going, you have to put it into perspective. Just like Cloth Diapers are not difficult to clean, neither are pads. A small pail in the bathroom, keep it with some oxy-clean, and at the end of one week send them through the wash, you can wash them with your other undergarments to make a full load. We use Biokleen's Laundry Liquid and Oxy-Clean.

After that, any option you use, consider the source material and the volume of material you would be discarding, such as plastic applicator versus paperboard. Good luck, and thank you for your conscientious attitude about waste and responsibility.