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Strategic solutions for a sustainable world. SUSTAINABILITY IN FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS ADVOCATING REUSABLE CLOTH NAPKINS OVER DISPOSABLE SANITARY NAPKINS. BINDU and MIN info@earthandus.org. Our formula for changing consumption behaviour for greater sustainability.
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Strategic solutions for a sustainable world SUSTAINABILITY IN FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS ADVOCATING REUSABLE CLOTH NAPKINS OVER DISPOSABLE SANITARY NAPKINS BINDU and MIN info@earthandus.org
Our formula for changing consumption behaviour for greater sustainability
From disposable pads to reusable pads Behaviour Change
Why feminine hygiene products? Collective impact in India One woman disposes 125 kg of sanitary napkins in her menstruating life time 355,000,000 women X 125 kg = 44,375,000,000 kgs of sanitary napkins
What does a disposable pad (DP) contain? Accurate Data • Bleached cellulose wood pulp 4.5 gm Super Absorbent Acrylate Polymers (gel) 0.6 gm Perforated plastic top layer 1.1 gm Silicon paper 0.67 gm Hot melt seal 0.45 gm Hot melt positioning seal 0.14 gm Polypropylene back sheet 0.96 gm
Disposal of DP: Social and Env. Impact Accurate Data ? Infections through skin contact = 500-800 years to decompose Releases toxins into the soil = OR
Disposal of DP: Social and Env. Impact Accurate Data ? Release of dioxin, furans, and asphyxiant gases into the environment = Diseases and Death = = =
What does an Eco Femme pad contain? Accurate Data Cotton and Polyeutherate Layer Unbleached cotton flannel Brushed cotton flannel with non-toxic dyes
Eco Femme pad: Impacts Accurate Data • Environmental impacts: • Usage = water & soap over 360 washes during the life of the product • Disposal in landfill (minimal toxins from polyeutharate layer) • Health impacts = negligible • Social impact = positive benefits
Awareness campaigns Simple Communication
Changing attitudes towards cloth pads Behaviour Change Cloth is not inherently unhygienic; DSNs are not really sanitary What is really ‘convenient’ or ‘inconvenient’? What are the lines between fact and opinion? Can they change?
Behaviour Change Choose the most ethical cloth pad
Our vision: Develop an online rating systemNudge consumers to ethical choices Shove corporations to making ethical products
Behaviour Change Cross-systems and cross-scale changes Government “Hug”: Distribute reusable pads for free “Smack” corporations through law enforcement Individual Change: Try reusable products Convince others Social Organizations Empower women by breaking taboos & open dialogues
Request from us for the earth • Start manufacturing units of quality cloth pads (we will provide the consultancy) • Support research and development into cloth pads • Support advocacy of cloth pads in mainstream society Thank you earthandus.org