. Consider these figures and decide if it is time to change to natural and organic sanitary pads.
for women looking for alternatives to synthetic pads that are safe for the women and environment-friendly as well.
Importantly, these individuals have succeeded in removing the stigma and shame associated with periods and the taboo associated with discussing menses and sanitary pads among young girls and women and making them aware of their right to a safe and trouble-free period and to take care of their bodies.
Special Features & Merits of Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins
- Very less plastic used, chlorine free and pH Compatible
- High quality, porous non-plastic top layer
- Free of chemicals and no allergies, itching or infections
- No chemicals added to create the fragrance
- Packed in biodegradable packing
- Come with a convenient biodegradable bag for each pad
If you are looking to switch to biodegradable pads there is a fairly large list to choose from. Some of these include:
- Heyday - Made of corn and bamboo, completely plastic free and eco-friendly
- Carmesi - Made of cornstarch and bamboo. Makes customized napkins to fit the user
- Natracare - Made from 100% cotton and cellulose
- Sakhi - Made from pine wood paper, butter paper, silicon paper, non-woven paper and cotton. The pads degrade within a week of burying under mud. Cheapest of the lot at Rs. 5/- per pad
- Nurture - Made from 100% cotton and contains silver ions to keep away bacteria
- Vivanion - 3 in 1 sanitary pads with herbal, organic and contain anions. Dioxin-free and bio-degradable within one year
- Saathi - Made from banana fiber and degrade by six months
- Purganics - 100% natural and biodegradable and hypoallergenic
- Laiqa - Natural and contain only 7% plastic
- Reusable cloth pads - These cloth pads are made of soft cotton and microfiber and come in a variety of colors. They come with wash instructions and can be reused. On the flip side, they are rather expensive
Presently, most of the biodegradable sanitary pads are priced
between 15-20 rupees per pad and may be out of reach for the average Indian woman. Hopefully, over time, these will be affordable and accessible to more women.
Padman - The Indian Who Developed Affordable Safe Sanitary Pads for Rural Women
Sadly even today a majority of young girls and
women belonging to the lower socioeconomic strata continue to use cloth napkins made from rags and reuse them after washing and have no access to clean sanitary pads and run a great risk of infections and inadequate protection from blood staining their clothes.
Padman, as he is referred to, is a man from Tamilnadu in South India,
Arunachalam Muruganantham who invented a low-cost sanitary pad making machine to offer women in villages low cost safe and hygienic pads instead of using cloth rags and following unhygienic menstrual practices.
He was awarded the Padmashri for his efforts and his life has been made into a movie called Padman.
Summary
Biodegradable sanitary pads are safe to use and eco-friendly. Switch to biodegradable pads and contribute towards making the planet greener.
References :- Natural and Sustainable Raw Materials for Sanitary Napkin - (https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/natural-and-sustainable-raw-materials-for-sanitary-napkin-2165-8064-1000308.php?aid=93070)
- Disposable pads, disposable lives - (https://www.earthandus.org/disposable-pads-disposable-lives/)
- Are Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins The Solution For Plastic Pollution? Maybe Not - (http://www.earthamag.org/stories/2018/1/29/are-biodegradable-sanitary-napkins-the-solution-for-plastic-pollution-maybe-not)
Source: Medindia
