The last post tackled the topic of recycling and period products. While I am a firm believer in reducing, reusing, and recycling, I also believe in not shaming people. I will make a more concerted effort to highlight amazing products for menstruators, i.e. Lunapads and Thinx. I will not lecture others on using certain products that either: a. they cannot keep up with hygienically because of homelessness or lack of hot running water; or b. they are not comfortable using said products. This is something that tugs at my heart. If you can, and happily choose to, use eco-friendly products, then please do so. I loudly cheer you on and encourage you. If you cannot, or are uncomfortable with, using eco-friendly items, then I cheer you on, too. We all need support.
With that, there are steps that Padded takes to cut down on unnecessary waste. Before I highlight Padded’s efforts, I want to drop some sobering facts below. After watching The True Cost, I became painfully aware of the detrimental human impact of textile waste.
Who makes our clothing?
We are increasingly disconnected from the people who make our clothing as 97% of items are now made overseas. There are roughly 40 million garment workers in the world today; many of whom do not share the same rights or protections that many people in the West do. They are some of the lowest paid workers in the world and roughly 85% of all garment workers are women. The human factor of the garment industry is too big to ignore; as we consistently see the exploitation of cheap labor and the violation of workers’, women’s, and human rights in many developing countries across the world.
https://truecostmovie.com/learn-more/human-rights/
Disposable Clothing
The world now consumes about 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year. This is 400% more than the amount we consumed just two decades ago. As new clothing comes into our lives, we also discard it at a shocking pace. The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year. That adds up to more than 11 million tons of textile waste from the U.S. alone. Historically, clothing has been something we have held onto for a long time, but with cheap clothing now abundantly available we are beginning to see the things we wear as disposable.
https://truecostmovie.com/learn-more/environmental-impact/
https://harmony1.com/textile-waste-infographic/
At Padded, we have decided to make our period pack bags out of recycled shirts. I have a crew of friends and helpers who donate shirts and help fashion these old shirts into bags. These bags can be used more than once and for many different items. I am fully aware that I do not provide thousands of packs per month, as I am a much smaller operation than some, so I have the luxury to do this. I am hopeful that our small effort can lead to a bigger movement.
Padded also raises money by selling scarves that have been handmade from recycled clothes. I love mixing and matching different fabrics and patterns to make a fun fashion piece. Profits made from selling these scarves goes into buying pads, liners, tampons, and other hygiene products that are requested. Jewelry is next on the recycled fashion fundraising list, so please keep an eye out for that. 🙂
There are so many opportunities to do something good. Small steps and big leaps are all needed in this aching world. I believe that is what most of us aim to do; help those who are struggling.
I think we are all doing the best we can.
Be kind. Be helpful. Be love.
Paula
padded 
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