Sustainable menstruation refers to the use of environmentally-friendly and responsible menstrual products.[1]
It is estimated that the average woman will bleed for an average of 40 years which can amount to upwards of 200 kg of menstrual product waste a year. To combat this environmental challenge, advocates of sustainable menstruation promote the use of reusable products such ascloth menstrual pads,menstrual cups andperiod underwear, and also sustainably-produced biodegradable disposable products.[2] Such practices reduce the waste created by disposable products (tampons and pads) made of non-biodegradable materials.[3][4]
There is some concern that by focusing on menstruation as a focus in discussions in waste, it furtherstigmatizes menstruation by blaming women for problems they didn't create. In India, 6% of non-biodegradable waste is created by hygiene products including menstruation products, wipes and diapers.[5]