Reusable period products

Sanitary waste can make up a large proportion of some bins and it is usually non-recyclable. The best way to stop this waste is by using reusable options. This saves the council money on disposal costs so it can be spent on other services.  

Sanitary towels can contain the same amount of single-use plastic as four plastic bags, while tampons can be made from materials which have a big environmental impact. You can use more than 11,000 period products across your lifetime, so by switching to reusable alternatives you can help cut waste. 

People often assume that reusable period products are just for the environmentally minded, but they are a great tool for saving money – they can save you thousands of pounds over a lifetime. 

How much money could you save?

Each period using single-use products can cost on average £5-10 - that’s £65-130 a year!

• a menstrual cup costs approximately £20 and lasts for 10 years
• a set of 7 period underwear costs approximately £30-50
•  A set of 10 reusable pads costs approximately £20-50

Over a lifetime some estimates say you could save thousands of pounds using reusable period products.

Reusable period products 

Reusable pads

 These are cloth pads that can be used in the same way as a disposable sanitary pad but instead of throwing it away you can wash it and reuse it. To use it- 

• Secure the Pad as you would a disposable pad: Use snaps or hook-and-loop buttons to secure the pad in place. 
• Change the pad every 4 to 6 hours, or more often if you have a heavy flow
• Store the used pad: if you are not at home you can put the pad in a wet bag to store it. These bags are discreet, odour-proof, and designed to keep moisture in, so you can carry them without any hassle. Just bag it up and deal with it later. Once you’re home, simply transfer the towel to your usual wash pile.
• Rinse with cold water, then wash on a cold, gentle cycle with phosphate-free detergent. Air dry or tumble dry on low.

Menstrual cups 

These are used to replace tampons, it is a small flexible silicon cup that is inserted into the vagina to collect blood during a period. Once full you take it out, empty it, sterilise it and reuse it. 

There are lots of different options available including different shaped and sized cups. 

Period pants 

These are pants that can absorb blood during your period, so you don't need to use a separate pad or cup. You then change your pants as you would a pad. 

 Find out more about getting started with reusable period products.