Sustainable Menstruation

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HSR Citizen Forum strongly supports  and campaigns for Green The Red initiative. This campaign was launched by  volunteer collective of individual eco-warriors and eco-retailers passionate about changing the menstrual hygiene.

7 million sanitory products are used and thrown away every year.

A disposable sanitary napkin takes 500 years to degrade.

This means that every single sanitary napkin ever manufactured still exists today.

Switching to sustainable menstrual products helps in many ways...

• Sanitary pads are loaded with plastics and chemicals like bleaching agents, fragrances and micro beads that cause irreparable damage to woman's health.
•  The pads which used to be thick with cotton filling got thinner and sleeker. 
• They are so light that they can fly, and have wings too! These pads are filled with micro beads which are meant to absorb all of the bleeding. 
• These chemicals in addition to skin rashes and allergies, also invite long term health issues. 
• I want to stay healthy and so sustainable options appeal to me!

• Most problems from sanitary pads arises due to indiscriminate disposing of pads by the irresponsible and unaware users.
•  The pads that go down the sewage system absorb enormous amount of water in the sewage system and clogs the drains.
•  The pads strewn around on the road along with garbage gets into water bodies and contaminate them. 
• Burning of sanitary waste introduces harmful carcinogenic dioxins in the air.
•  I do not want to burden the only planet that supports life!

• On the average, a  woman spends about Rs. 60000 on disposable sanitary pads, during the entire period of menstruating years(About 30 years). 
• Reusable cloth pad option costs as low as Rs.200 that lasts for about three years. This will amount to about Rs. 13500 f(For 30 years). 
• The menstrual cup that has life of about 10 years costs just about Rs. 3000 (For 30 years)! 
• So, reusable options make perfect economical sense for me too!

• The menstrual cups are very easy to carry and comfortable to use. The cup forms a suction around the cervix, and prevents any leakage.
•  The medical grade silicone cup is hardly felt, and one can engage in active sports, running, swimming, trekking and yoga exercises without the discomfort of disposable sanitary pads. 
• So, reusable menstrual cups are perfect for my active lifestyle

Whatever be the reason, there are choices that are available for a comfortable happy period!  For more information and resources, please visit Green The Red Campaign website. 

• HSR Citizen Forum Volunteers, support all ways to reduce the use of disposable sanitary solutions. 
• We campaign regularly in schools, colleges and give awareness sessions about sustainable menstrual options. It is so heartening to see many change over to the sustainable options. 
• With menstrual cup option, you can have a rash-free, cash freee, and trash free period !!