The Plastic Free Mark launched by environment group A Plastic Planet has been spotted on teabags, food products, and even validated ‘the world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle in Amsterdam’.
Now this pioneering stamp of approval has finally made its way to disposable period products – a sector that historically has faced scrutiny over its ‘plastic problem’.
Natracare, which launched the first ever organic cotton tampon in 1989, became the world’s first period brand to be awarded the Plastic Free Mark for its packaging (in 2019) and now for its whole product (applicator tampons and pads, in 2021). Susie Hewson, founder and CEO of Natracare, says the brand is “beyond thrilled” at the accolade.
“The concept of plastic-free periods is nothing new to Natracare, we have been campaigning this for over 30 years. But there is a wonderful wave of cultural change happening right now, where more people are talking about periods and have an environmental drive to reduce plastic consumption. I think more than ever, brands need to be totally transparent with what they are putting into their products – and so this mark is not only a celebration of a more sustainable future, but hopefully a more transparent future in period care,’ says Hewson.
The plastic period problem
Plastic in period products, and confusion over how to dispose them, is unquestionably having a huge negative impact on the planet. Around 2.5 million tampons, 1.4 million pads and 700,000 panty liners are flushed every single day in the UK.
A Natracare study showed that an average pack of conventional pads contained as much plastic as five carrier bags (including the packaging). As for tampons, some incorporate a thin layer of hidden plastic, which is used to help hold the tightly packed cotton part together. In some cases, the string is also made of polyester or polypropylene.
The plastic period problem was highlighted last year when environment activist Ella Daish created a giant tampon applicator as part of a protest against single-use plastic. This was made from 1,200 applicators collected from 15 different locations across the country. Daish’s #EndPeriodPlastic campaign helped to successfully get many shops like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Boots, and Superdrug to ditch its own-brand plastic tampon applicators and sell eco-alternatives alongside them. This was a powerful step in the fight against unnecessary plastic applicators.
Ella Daish says: “The introduction of the Plastic Free Logo onto the packaging of Natracare’s period products is absolutely fantastic! This move will help consumers identify eco-friendly choices with confidence and highlight the hidden plastic in mainstream period brands to a wider audience.”
69% of Brits more likely to purchase transparent products
There are currently no legal requirements for manufacturers to disclose their list of ingredients in their period products. Natracare has a long track record of championing transparency in its products and processes – from the information on its website to its packaging. The brand has a unique full lifecycle analysis of the environmental impact of making its products, which detailed that exactly 23.5g of carbon is used in the creation of a menstrual pad. They also work with organisations like City to Sea and WEN (Women’s Environmental Network) to educate young people and lobby change in the period health space, and have independent accreditations from numerous environmental, ethical and animal rights organisations like Soil Association, Made Safe and The Vegetarian Society.
Natracare says the Plastic Free Mark is the first step for more transparency in period products and that it is committed to “driving this narrative forward”.
