Eco-friendly disposable sanpro issues!

welf_man

My daughter has recently started periods, and is currently resisting the idea of reusable pads (let alone a Mooncup)! I located some relatively eco-friendly disposables, but it then occurred to me that there's not much point in the pad being biodegradable if it gets put in a bin liner!

I'm sure I can get biodegradable bags for home use - which is a good idea anyway - but what about at school? Does anyone know whether the waste from sanpro bins is incinerated? I imagine it's treated as clinical waste, but I don't know what that means in practice.

I'll definitely go for chlorine/rayon-free tampons if the time comes - for health reasons, really - but is there honestly any point in eco-friendly pads beyond the conscientious objector aspect?

Mel.

greenbee

At school they'll be incinerated. At home, I suggest you provide paper bags and a bin in the bathroom for disposal.

Make sure you get her plastic & chlorine free with unbleached, organic cotton covers. The same health issues still apply with pads as with tampons. They're also more comfortable ... I hadn't realised until I had to go back to using pads for a bit after a minor op - I had got hold of some natracare ones, but ran out and had to get ordinary ones and really noticed the difference. I don't want to go into details on here, but trust me, she'll be much better off with the eco-friendly, natural ones.

If she's just started, its worth having a selection of stuff available which she can try without discussing it with you, or having to ask in a shop. She may want to start using tampons straight away if her friends do, so it might be worth ordering (loads of places do them online, I have used naturalcollection.com) a selection of different pads & tampons, and some reuseables. That way there's no danger of her running out, and she can make her own mind up about what she wants to use and when she wants to try it.