Compostable napkins

 

 

Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, can happen to any woman or girl who menstruates.[1] Heavy menstruation can affect your physical activities, emotional health, and social life.[2] This may be especially true if you wear a pad because they may be visible through your clothing. But by getting the right kind of pad and putting on a new one regularly, you may feel more comfortable.

 

 India is the second largest feminine hygiene market in the world, creating a revenue of USD 4.6 billion. The country stands after China (USD 8 billion) and before the USA (USD 3.5 million)

 

While in a bid to reduce their carbon footprints, many others have opted for ‘biodegradable’ sanitary napkins, questions are raised about how green is this choice? “Biodegradable products are those that break down naturally, but this very process may, in certain cases, take years to complete. Also, there is no such standard in the world for biodegradability. Hence, it is probably safe to say that this term can be misleading too,”

 

While making a purchase, look for the term ‘compostable’ instead of ‘biodegradable’. “The timeline for a compostable pad is 90 to 180 days. Compostable napkins disintegrate into the soil within the set time, without causing any harm to the ecosystem. It turns into manure within 90 to 180 days under composting conditions. Fully compostable sanitary pads are sometimes confused with biodegradable pads or oxo-degradable pads. Hence, consumers need to be aware of what they are buying,”