Ditch the Disposable: How a Menstrual Cup Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
As humans inch every day towards progress, their daily choices prove to be atrocious for the environment. One day or the other, we might realize how our routine lives are leaving the environment in pieces; however, before that big day of realization strikes, it’s crucial to start now with more sustainable choices. Even the tiniest steps matter, and one of these steps is using a reusable period cup, irrespective of ways of inserting menstrual cup for beginners.
Although the initial menstrual cup price can be higher than that of disposable products, period cups are more cost-effective in the long run. Trivially, 11,000+ disposable menstrual products are used by the average menstruators in their lifetime. This waste is non-biodegradable, and once it makes its way to the landfill, it stays there for years or harms the marine life in the ocean. However, menstrual cups are an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint and make that time of the month more manageable. How? Let’s see!
How does using a menstrual cup reduce your carbon footprint?
In the United States alone, over 12 billion pads and tampons end up in landfills annually. These products take hundreds of years to break down and release harmful chemicals into the environment as they do. Furthermore, manufacturing disposable menstrual products requires a significant amount of resources, including water and energy, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
In contrast, menstrual cups can be reused for years, significantly reducing the amount of waste generated. While the production of menstrual cups does require resources, the fact that they can be used for so long means that the overall environmental impact is much lower than that of disposable products.
How to use a menstrual cup?
Inserting a menstrual cup for beginners can be intimidating, but with a bit of practice, most people find that it’s not difficult. The key is to relax and take your time. It’s also important that you consider the one-size-fits-all approach instead of browsing through a myriad of menstrual cups online.
To insert a menstrual cup, wash your hands and the cup with soap and water. Fold the cup in half and insert it into your vagina, so it sits below your cervix. You may need to adjust it slightly to ensure a proper seal. Gently pull the stem until you reach the base of the cup for removing it. Pinch the base to break the seal, empty the contents into the toilet or sink, wash the cup, and reinsert it.
The bottom line
The average person spends over $120 per year on disposable menstrual products, while a menstrual cup costs around $30-40 and can last for several years. In addition to being more economical, menstrual cups are a sustainable choice that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Overall, switching to a menstrual cup is a small but impactful change that can make a big difference for the planet. By reducing the amount of waste generated by disposable menstrual products, we can help to protect the environment and create a more sustainable future. So why not give it a try? Not only will you be doing your part for the planet, but you may also find that using a menstrual cup is more comfortable and convenient than disposable products.