Sustainable Feminine Hygiene: Why Period Underwear Is the More Eco-Friendly Choice
- allthingsdaysie
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Disposable pads and tampons are a major waste problem. Every year, billions of single-use menstrual products end up in landfills and oceans. Over a lifetime, the average menstruating person uses about 10,000 pads or tampons. In the U.S. alone, approximately 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded annually. These products are made of more than 90% plastic (e.g., films, applicators, adhesive layers) and can remain in the environment for centuries. Most menstrual waste ends up in landfills, where a single pad takes 500–800 years to decompose. Plastic applicators can persist for decades. In total, menstrual products generate tens of thousands of tons of waste every year. And it’s not just the plastic that’s harmful: the production of pads and tampons also involves CO₂ emissions, energy and water consumption, and their disposal contributes to environmental pollution. In short, single-use period products leave a massive ecological footprint. For people under 40 who care about sustainability, reducing this impact is especially important.
How Reusable Period Underwear Helps
Period underwear (often referred to as “washable period briefs”) are specially designed panties with integrated absorbent layers. They function like a built-in pad and can be machine washed after each use. Instead of discarding a product every few hours, you wash and reuse the same underwear. Over their typical lifespan (2–5 years with proper care), one pair of period underwear can replace hundreds of disposable pads or tampons. This has a major impact:
Less Waste: A single pair of reusable period underwear produces virtually no monthly waste, compared to dozens of disposable products.
Less Plastic: Conventional pads and tampons consist of up to 90% plastic. Period underwear, by contrast, is primarily made of fabrics like cotton, bamboo, or technical textiles. Even if the absorbent core contains synthetic fibers, it’s reused many times.
Dual Purpose: Period underwear also functions as regular underwear, so you don’t need extra products, just one that does both.
Cost Savings & Longevity: While the initial investment is higher, a few pairs of period underwear last for years. In the long run, they are cheaper than thousands of disposables. Most brands indicate a lifespan of several hundred washes.
Eco-Friendly Washing: Although they require washing, studies show that if washed properly (cold water, gentle cycle), the environmental footprint remains positive, especially when compared to the production and disposal of thousands of disposables.
Data-Driven Comparison: Period Underwear vs. Disposable Products
Products per Year: A menstruating person uses about 260 disposable products annually. Over 38 years, this adds up to thousands. With period underwear, just 4–6 pairs per year are sufficient—a dramatic reduction in product use.
Waste Volume: Disposables generate hundreds of pounds of waste over a lifetime. Reusables can eliminate nearly all of that.
Plastic Use: Since most disposables are made of plastic, switching to period underwear can save several kilograms of plastic.
Decomposition Time: Disposable pads take centuries to break down. Reusable underwear prevents this waste from being created in the first place.
Eco-Balance: Life cycle assessments clearly show that reusable products like period underwear and menstrual cups are significantly more eco-friendly.
Example Calculation: Replacing 1,300 tampons with one high-quality pair of period underwear or cloth pad prevents an equivalent amount of plastic (applicators, packaging, fibers) from entering the environment. Over two years, a single pair can replace hundreds of disposables.
Societal Impact: On a larger scale, the difference is enormous. If many people switch to reusables, national and global menstrual waste can be drastically reduced. Every cycle with washable underwear is a step toward less plastic, less CO₂, and more sustainability.
Beyond Environmental Benefits
In addition to ecological advantages, period underwear also offers practical perks: many users report increased comfort and appreciate avoiding chemical bleaches and fragrances. There's no packaging waste and no need to repurchase products constantly. Moreover, by choosing reusables, consumers often support ethical brands that focus on sustainable production and social responsibility.
In Summary
Disposable products generate massive waste, with up to 10,000 items per person, mostly plastic, and long decomposition times.
Period underwear is reusable and long-lasting. It replaces hundreds of disposables and greatly reduces waste and plastic use.
Studies confirm the benefits. Reusables perform significantly better in environmental analyses.
Small changes make a big difference. Even switching on just a few days a month helps reduce plastic and CO₂.
Sustainability can be simple. Period underwear is a modern, practical solution for eco-friendly menstrual care.
Period Underwear vs. Disposable Products – The Numbers
Category | Disposable Products | Period Underwear |
Products per Year | ~260 | ~4–6 pieces, reused |
Lifetime Waste | ~150 kg | Negligible |
Plastic Content | Up to 90% | Minimal |
Decomposition Time | 500–800 years | Reused for years |
Environmental Impact | High | Very low |
How Much Waste Do Disposable Period Products Generate?
In Germany alone, disposable pads and tampons create around 95,000 tons of waste every year. That’s enough to fill nearly 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools or stack a 13-story building from bottom to top. Imagine 7,000 garbage trucks stretching in a 100-kilometer convoy—just to transport the annual menstrual waste. It’s a staggering volume, and all this waste either ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Switching to reusable options like period underwear isn’t just sustainable—it’s essential.
Sustainable Periods Start with You
Choosing period underwear is more than a comfort decision—it’s a statement:
You reduce plastic waste.
You lower your carbon footprint.
You save money long term.
You support ethical, sustainable brands.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Discover allthingsdaysie eco-friendly period underwear – ultra-comfy, high-performance, and great for the planet. 🌼
https://www.allthingsdaysie.com/category/all-products
Read more on our blog about sustainable menstrual care, product comparisons, and care tips. ♻️
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