Rethinking Period Products
The Shift from Disposable to Sustainable Menstrual Products
For generations, disposable menstrual products (pads and tampons) have been the go-to solution for managing periods. They’re easy to find, convenient to use, and marketed as clean and discreet. But behind their popularity lies a deeper issue: the environmental and health costs we often overlook.
In the United States alone, over 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded every year. Most of these products are made with plastics and synthetic materials that take centuries to break down. A single pad can take up to 50 years to decompose. If burned, it can release toxic dioxins and other chemicals into the environment, polluting ecosystems and endangering wildlife (International Journal of Public Health).
Aside from their environmental impact, disposable products can also pose risks to our health. Many contain chemical additives, bleaches, and fragrances that have been linked to irritation, rashes, and in rare cases, toxic shock syndrome. These products are single-use by design, which means they generate significant waste while offering limited long-term value.
See full research about chemicals found in tampons: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38963987/
Why People Are Making the Switch
In recent years, more people have begun to explore sustainable alternatives, reusable products like cloth pads, menstrual cups, and menstrual underwear. These options not only reduce waste but also offer comfort, convenience, and cost savings over time.
One product in particular has gained global attention: the menstrual cup. This medical-grade silicone device collects menstrual blood and can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time, depending on flow. It holds between 10–38 ml of blood, which is more than a tampon or pad can typically manage (The Lancet Public Health).
A comprehensive review of studies from countries including Kenya, Nepal, India, Iran, South Africa, Thailand, and the UK found that menstrual cups were widely accepted by users. Most participants felt fully comfortable using the cup by their third cycle. Key benefits included:
Extended wear time and fewer bathroom trips
Reduced leaks and odors
Comfort and freedom of movement
Fewer skin irritations
Drastic reduction in long-term costs
Even more importantly, qualitative studies showed that access to menstrual cups improved school attendance, concentration, and overall confidence for many students.
But There Are Still Barriers
Despite these benefits, switching to reusable products isn’t always easy. Participants in several studies mentioned common challenges:
Lack of menstrual education or product knowledge
Discomfort or fear during early use
Lack of privacy at home or in school restrooms
No hygienic way to clean cups in public settings
This last challenge (cleaning menstrual cups on the go) is one of the biggest barriers to sustainable product adoption, especially for those with active lifestyles, travel-heavy jobs, or limited access to private sinks.
How Blean Is Helping Bridge the Gap
At Blean, we believe sustainable period care should be practical, safe, and stress-free. That’s why we’re designing a discreet, portable cleaning device that allows users to rinse their menstrual cups or discs inside the stall, no need to search for a sink or resort to unhygienic workarounds.
By solving this real pain point, we hope to empower more people to confidently make the switch to reusable products without compromising comfort, hygiene, or dignity.
Organizations Leading the Way
Many global and local organizations are already working to make sustainable menstrual care more accessible, including:
These groups are raising awareness, distributing reusable products, and improving menstrual education across the globe. We’re excited to contribute to this movement by focusing on a critical, yet often overlooked, part of the experience: the ability to clean.
Tell Us About Your Experience
Have you used a menstrual cup or are you thinking about making the switch? We’d love to learn from you.
👉 Take our short survey and help us design better solutions for sustainable period care.
Your insights will help shape the future of menstrual health, making it safer, cleaner, and more empowering for everyone.
