De week zonder afval: duurzaam en zonder afval je menstruatie door

Zero Waste Week: getting through your period without disposables

|Updated on 22 September 2026| Bente Hagens

tl;dr

At a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, it is important to also pay attention to aspects that are often overlooked. One of these is period waste. Every month, millions of tampons, pads and panty liners are thrown away, which has a big impact on the environment.

Fortunately, awareness of reusable period products is growing, think of period underwear, a cup or a disc. You wash these products and use them again, so you need fewer disposable products.

The problem of period waste


According to research by Milieu Centraal a woman throws away an average of around 10,000 to 12,000 tampons and pads during her lifetime. These products often contain plastic and other synthetic materials, which means they are not biodegradable and contribute significantly to global plastic pollution.

In addition, many of these disposable products end up in toilets, leading to blockages and pollution of waterways. So make sure this never happens and dispose of products properly in the bin. By using one pair of period pants you quickly save more than 150 disposable products (according to an LCA study commissioned by Moodies and carried out at VU Amsterdam).

Reusable alternatives

Fortunately, more and more period products are available that offer an alternative to traditional disposable products, including period underwear. This underwear is washable and reusable and, with proper use and care, lasts approx. 2 to 3 years. So you don't need to buy other products such as pads or tampons. Our bamboo pants feel wonderfully soft. All fabrics are also OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, which means they have been tested for harmful substances.

Besides period underwear, cups, discs, washable pads and tampons also offer a reusable alternative for your period.


The benefits of a period without disposables

Using washable period products means you need fewer disposable products. Traditional tampons and pads often contain chemicals and pesticides that can be harmful to our bodies. By switching to reusable alternatives, we avoid these harmful substances and reduce the risk of irritation and allergies.

In addition, reusable period products are a cheaper solution in the long run. Although the initial investment may be higher than with disposables, you save money in the long term because they are reusable and you don't have to buy them again every month.

Our responsibility

By switching to reusable period products you need fewer disposable pads and tampons, and therefore produce less period waste.

Let's work together towards a world where having your period no longer means a pile of disposable products. Join Zero Waste Week and discover the many ways to make a difference, even during your period.

tl;dr

veel gestelde vragen over het blog 'Zero Waste Week: getting through your period without disposables'

How does period underwear help reduce waste?

You replace disposable products with a reusable alternative.
• No more monthly tampons or sanitary pads needed.
• Less packaging waste.
• One pair of panties lasts for years.

Why is reusable underwear more sustainable?

You use the same products repeatedly.
• Production impact is spread over years.
• You reduce your total waste stream.
• You need fewer raw materials in the long term.

How do you make your period routine even more sustainable?

Small, conscious choices go a long way.
• Wash at max. 40°C without fabric softener.
• Air dry.
• Combine with other reusable products if that suits you.

How do you start menstruating more sustainably if you're still in doubt?

Start simple and build up gradually.
• Try one or two pairs of underwear first.
• Test different absorbencies on different days.
• See what feels comfortable and fits your daily routine.

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