the luxury of recycling.

I’ve been sitting on this blog for a while. So here we go.

I am all about being a better human. Well, I try my best. We recycle. A lot. At our house, our recycle bin can overflow faster than our trash bin. We have two recycle bins for this very reason. I wish I was better at food composting, and would love to have a green thumb, but I hope, in time, these things become more my norm.

One of the newer trends in recycling is focused on feminine products. Well, really, it is not very new, as people all over the world have been reusing products during their periods. Where do you think the term “on the rag” came from? People who menstruate used cloth rags regularly before the convenience of disposable items came along.

Honestly, I have been slow to warm up to the idea of reusable pads and cups, but I am super ready to try period underwear. I have not tried using a cup, but I do have 2 reusable pads from Lunapads. They are very comfortable. They wash easily, and they are not as weird as I thought they would be. I only use them as back up with tampons on my heavy days or just by themselves on light days. As I said, I only have two, so I am not sure how much I am saving the environment. When I am using them, I feel just a bit more smug about my oneness with Mother Nature.

I have had one or two people tell me that they love what I am doing, but wouldn’t it be cool if I hyped up reusable items more. Yes, I probably should mention these eco-friendly items more. Every little bit of awareness is welcome, and I fully support my eco-friendly sisters.

I hesitate passing them out to my donation sites, though. A certain amount of privilege exists with using these amazing products. The menstruators that I deliver to do not live the same life as I do. Some of the places I donate to cater to people who walk right off the street. If someone does not have a place with a washer and/or dryer and does not even have access to a clean bathroom, then what good will I provide to them? Period underwear, cloth pads, and cups all require cleaning. Cleaning is essential for menstrual health care. Again, these products are amazing, but we must meet people where they are at, and sometimes, people simply do not have the luxury to recycle.

My other hesitation lies in the warrior cry #endperiodshame. We are constantly shouting from the rooftops to end the period stigma. Menstruators all over the world are fighting just to feel comfortable in their own skin and understand that periods are not gross or dirty. The last thing we need to do is shame them into using products we deem best. As people figure out what feels best for them, they might find their way to reusable products. Until then, I do not think shaming people into using them is conducive to ending period shame.

Personally, I will continue to explore ways to be more sustainable. I can do that because I have the luxury to do that. Padded does have some environmentally friendly practices that I will discuss in the next blog, so I hope you will join me next time for another little read.

Until then, take care of each other.

Be kind. Be helpful. Be love.

Paula