By Susie Hewson, Founder of Natracare
The potential environmental and health implications for consumers
All plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastic! We can also refer to plastic as the polymer’s stretch-and-flex characteristic. It is the addition of plasticisers that gives a polymer this feature, which, incidentally, is often where phthalates are introduced into a product. This type of polymer is a go-to material for many absorbent brands, such as period pads and liners, baby diapers, and incontinence pads.
We often think of soft, flexible plastics as the stuff throwaway shopping bags are made from, and you would be correct. The plastic barrier film used in many types of period pads and liners to prevent blood from passing through the pad into underwear is petroleum-derived polyethylene (PE). I estimated that a pack of menstrual pads could contain the equivalent of 5 plastic carrier bags’ worth of plastic!
Natracare pads and liners also contain a leak-proof barrier, but it is derived from plant starch and is Home Compost certified. Plastic also comes in the form of a non-woven, “fabric-like” material called polypropylene that can appear to look like cotton or viscose. Polypropylene is commonly used for the component that sits next to the skin of a pad or liner, and as a fibre-security veil wrapped around viscose and cotton/viscose blends of tampons to reduce viscose fibre shedding during tampon use.
When considering that plastic materials are in situ against vaginal mucous membranes in tampons, you may understand why Natracare created the certified organic 100% cotton tampons back in the mid-nineties. Likewise, we use only GOTS-certified organic 100% cotton nonwovens in the construction of Natracare pads and liners.
Another microplastic to consider is the use of polyacrylate superabsorbent gels to increase the absorbency and fluid retention in pads and liners. This is another plastic component that, when exposed to fluids, swells and holds those fluids in the pad. Unfortunately, these gels cannot biodegrade and are environmental pollutants as microplastics. Natracare does not use superabsorbents in any of its products because they do not align with our ecological or health principles or design policies. Natracare uses only Totally chlorine-free fluff from ecologically managed softwood plantations in Scandinavia to absorb for the pads and liners. Often, the use of polyacrylates leads to an over-engineered product with damaging consequences upon disposal, and this is considered a major issue in places around the world with poorly managed waste disposal. Plastic-containing products find their way into river systems and release microplastics upon breakdown in landfills.
Natracare pads and liners are also certified Compostable Industrial, completing the life cycle from raw material extraction to end of life with the potential to return to the soil. Natracare also conducts independent precautionary testing to confirm the absence of heavy metals, PFAS, pesticides, glyphosate, etc. This is the Natracare design-for-change promise we have committed to since 1989.
What shoppers should look for on labels when choosing safer options.
It would be wonderful if there were widespread regulations that forced full ingredient disclosure for period products, both intentionally and unintentionally added. Transparency regarding ingredients, additives, and potential contaminants is not disclosed on packaging, but is being uncovered by competent and concerned agencies. I have been campaigning for transparency and regulation in menstrual products for over three and a half decades; vigilance is still necessary. Continue to be alert to brands that are not forthcoming with safety data; challenge greenwashing, which is often a way for brands to disguise dubious materials and processes with vague, unvalidated natural claims for their products. Bamboo is not a fibre, it is a plant which undergoes an environmentally damaging process to produce viscose rayon, so do not be bamboozled by bamboo.
Look for GOTS-certified, 100% organic cotton tampons. If the ingredients are not listed on the pack, check the brands website or ask for disclosure, and join the movement to drive for transparency.
