How To Have A Zero Waste Period—Plus, Best Starter Kits!

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Each year in North America, roughly around 20 billion disposable pads and tampons make their way to the landfill where they sit around with other single-use products like baby diapers, water bottles and plastic straws that simply do not biodegrade.

Then there’s the issue of manufacturing single use sanitary pads which also creates a large carbon footprint, not to mention the impact they have on our health due to all the synthetic and toxic chemicals that are used to create them.

Rayon, dioxin, fragrance and chlorine are only a few of these hormone disrupting and cancer causing agents that we shouldn’t be voluntarily placing into our bodies. This stuff literally has a huge impact on your health.

What Do Zero Waste Menstrual Products Consist Of?

Luckily, there are a few healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional menstrual products:

• Reusable menstrual cups

• Reusable period pads

• Reusable period underwear

Reusable is the key word in each of these zero-waste products. Although there are many eco-friendly period products that are biodegradable, they still take a long time to breakdown in landfills and contribute to carbon emissions.

So in order to qualify as “zero-waste”, your period products must be reusable. Plus, choosing against single use will help save water—because even organic cotton requires a ton to water to create just one tampon.

Which Zero Waste Menstrual Product Is Right For Me?

Now the big question: which one do you choose? Which one is best for your body and lifestyle?

The easiest thing to do when wanting to switch over to a new product (especially if it’s an environmentally friendly product which costs a few dollars more) is to purchase a kit.

Period kits allow you to sample and experiment with products that you would otherwise be too uncertain to buy, and many of them are worth the purchase.

Below you’ll find my recommended zero-waste menstrual kits. The items within all of these selected period kits are BPA free, non-toxic and will definitely save you a ton of money in the long run.

Zero Waste Menstrual Kit By The Zero Waste Store

Say goodbye to plastic tampon applicators and disposable pads that contain artificial fragrances, chemical gels, and adhesives. Better for your body, budget, and our Earth, this kit by the Zero Waste Store, will give you comfortable periods! The organic cotton pads are breathable, sustainable, super comfy, and provide ultimate leak protection. 

This sustainable period kit includes:

• Mist Grey Saalt menstrual cup- Size small or regular (not pictured)
• Reusable pantyliner- Organic cotton (white) or Black
• Reusable day pad with two inserts- Organic cotton (white) or Black
• Reusable Stasher Bag to hold your soiled reusables.

Pixie Menstrual Cup Starter Kit

If you’re searching for a tampon and pad alternative, than a soft silicone menstrual cup may be a great fit for you. And this menstrual cup starter kit by Pixie is the ultimate zero waste period kit. Non-toxic and BPA-free, this period kit contains two reusable silicone cups (one small and one large) which offer 12 hour protection and contain a 10 year life span.

Each person is different, and our flow varies from the beginning of our cycle to the end, so it’s really convenient to have two different size cups to choose from.

It also includes one microwavable sterilizing cup, one all natural and organic lubricant and one all natural and organic foaming wash and wipes for the purpose of cleaning your Pixie cups. Women are truly loving this period kit and you can get more info, to include reviews, on Amazon by clicking here.

Luna Cup Menstrual Starter Kit

If you’re not sure about your ability to use a silicone menstrual cup, or you’d like to use a combination of cups and pads to feel more confident or until you get the hang of it, then this Luna Cup menstrual starter kit is the perfect choice for you.

The Luna Cup menstral starter kit consists of 2 reusable cloth pads, two medical grade soft silicone menstrual cups (one small and one large), and one wet bag.

The reusable Luna period pads are made of 100% anti-bacterial and highly absorbent bamboo charcoal, and hold twice as much liquid as traditional disposable pads—which means you don’t have to change as much.

They also contain “wings” for extra protection, and are very easy to clean. Plus, how cute is the design! You can find more details about this kit on Amazon, to include reviews, and decide if you’d like to give this kit a try!

Saalt Menstrual Cup Kit

The Saalt Soft Duo Pack includes two sizes of ultra-soft silicone menstrual cups, storage bags, and last for up to 12 hours. They are BPA free, toxin free and cruelty free.

Saalt believes in keeping toxins out of our ecosystems and out of our bodies, which is why this eco-conscious brand meticulously monitors their supply chain and source only high-quality, medical-grade materials.

Saalt is a certified B Corp, and commits 2% of revenue to regions with the most need for period products.

Luna Cup Period Panty Kit

If you’d like to skip a silicone menstrual cup altogether, and stick to something less invasive, then this period panty and reusable pad combination by Luna Cup is perfect for you. I really like this kit because it’s hard to find a brand that sells pads and underwear together—giving you the freedom and convenience to see which works best for you.

I do, however, recommend panties for lighter period days and definitely not when and if you have a heavy flow.

These comfortable and breathable period panties are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The inner lining has waterproof backing, so don’t worry about leakage! If you’d like more details and sizing information, click here to be taken to Amazon.

Lunette Menstrual Cup Kit

The Lunette Menstrual Cup Kit is another great zero waste kit for beginners. Each cup can last up to 12 hours, and comes with accessories for cleaning and storage.

The liquid cleaner and wipes are completely organic, vegan, and sulfite and paraben-free—with only ingredients that you can recognize.

The Lunette Menstrual Cup Kit includes :

• Lunette Menstrual Cup 
• Lunette Feelbetter Cup Cleanser 
• Lunette Cupwipes 
• Lunette Cotton pouch 
• Lunette Booklet

LuckyPads | Organic Cotton Pads

If you prefer organic cotton to bamboo period pads, consider a starter pack of reusable organic cotton menstrual pads at LuckyPads. The fabric is breathable, non-toxic, and can easily be thrown into the wash countless times. Plus, the designs are really cute!

My favorite thing about cotton pads as opposed to bamboo (or flannel) is that they don’t trap heat and are much more comfortable to wear. And the fact that these are organic cotton, makes them 100 times more healthier and eco-friendly than other cotton menstrual pads.

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