Leading the charge.
One pack of sanitary pads can contain as much plastic as up to four carrier bags, and with the average women using 11,000 period products in a lifetime, the impact plastic-based period-wear is having on the environment is clear.
With recent reports suggesting tampons live longer than the females using them, and one conventional sanitary pad taking around 500 years to decompose (eek!), more women than ever are conscious of the damage that their period waste is having on the environment.
To tackle the ever-growing problem, health and wellness retailer, Holland & Barrett, has extended its zero waste offering to provide women with more alternative period options than any other high street retailer.
The new offering in store and online is made up of FLUX Undies, Bloom & Nora Reusable Pads and OrganiCup; the range is designed to offer women eco-friendly alternatives at an affordable price. And when purchased in store, Holland & Barrett staff have apparently been trained to offer in-store guidance on how to use the products, for any woman feeling apprehensive about switching to a less common form of period protection.
Alongside the product launch, Holland & Barrett have partnered with Bloody Good Period, a UK charity whose mission is to end period poverty, after it was revealed With 1 in 4 women in the UK unable to afford period products.
Bloody Good Period works with women from all backgrounds including asylum seekers, homeless women and those who poverty-stricken. Speaking about their work, Gabby Edlin, Founder & CEO of Bloody Good Period, said: "Periods don't stop because you're a refugee, or because you can't afford to buy a pad. That's why partnerships with companies like Holland & Barrett are so important in helping to alleviate period poverty on-the-ground and - vitally - fighting to eradicate it completely."
Whilst the menstrual cup is definitely having its moment, it’s a large leap for some women to switch to when it comes to application methods (although you can read our Beauty Editor's guide and review). To offer even further options, Holland & Barrett are stocking reusable pads and period-proof underwear making it easier than ever to make small steps towards a plastic-free period routine.
Discussing the expansion of the environmentally-friendly new period range, Victoria James, Category Buyer for Holland & Barrett, said: "We understand that the current high-street options for eco-friendly period wear can often come with a hefty price tag and confusion around efficacy and application.
"We’re delighted to be the first British high-street retailer to offer such a breadth of alternative period products; we hope these new options will leave women feeling more confident about making a choice that is both right for them, and doesn’t cost the earth.
“This new product range comes as part our continued commitment to our Clean & Conscious Beauty initiative, following announcements of a ban on wet-wipes from stores in May, the world’s first zero-waste vegan beauty bars in July, and a zero-waste beauty starter kit in August.”
We hope other high street stores follow suit.
[VIA GLAMOUR UK]
