So dont hesitate to try these tampons just because they are different. Oh I didn't know these existed. Open the paper wrapper, and twist beforehand. Menaka Raman-Wilms writes about the environment, politics and social issues. More info on that here). This practice, of course, could cause major plumbing issues. When it comes to plastic pollution and waste, theres a lot to be said. All of Tampaxs ranges contain a plastic film around the tampon, as well as the attached string. Several women like using cotton tampons with plastic applicators as it is more comfortable to insert. This is a key way that plastic makes its way into our oceans. Both TOTM and Natracares tampons have extra eco-friendly credentials. According to the Absorbent Hygiene Product Manufacturers Association (AHPMA), a small film of plastic inside the tampon is used in the majority of tampon ranges to aid insertion and stop fibre shredding, while some use plastics to strengthen the withdrawal cord. "It all comes down to education," she said, "and figuring out why these problems are happening.". "[Marketers] always use these words like 'dainty' or 'hygienic,'" she said. Still,between 3,000 and 3,500 tampons and applicators are found on the country's beaches annually, saidKate Le Souef, manager of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. DAMEs reusable applicator can be used with a range of non-applicator tampons. Instead, applicators are supposed to be disposed of in the garbage, so they'll eventually end up in a landfill. What Internalised Misogyny have you overheard? So far, Tampax hasn't responded to the petition asking them to stop making plastic applicators. These types of applicators are biodegradable and are not harmful to your body or the planet. The only difference is that these tampons have applicators that are made from plastic.. Well, there are so many options now to choose from, its vital to know the pros and cons of all the options to make an informed decision. Sort of, but not because of the difference in applicator. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I love the plastic ones WAY better. In terms of packaging, TOTMs applicator tampons are wrapped in paper, whereas their non-applicator tampons are wrapped in plastic, but TOTM is looking to change this as soon as possible. Right from helpful blogs to product reviews, you will find everything here on Women Wiz! A minor change to protect our planet for the future. Back to Bag So much easier and more comfortable to insert properly. Regular tampons will slide in easily if your vagina is wet with blood/bodily fluids any way. "[They] last a long time in the water.". Cardboard applicators have been designed for purpose so its easy to adapt to using them. Women all around the globe are just on one mission: to find the perfect sanitary product for the time when our monthly friends visit. She estimates that applicators alone make up 80 per cent of that number. I don't use any other brands so can't comment there. The tampons with plastic applicators easily glide and are more comfortable than the cardboard applicators. Haven't personally noticed a difference between the two (other than the applicators themselves). Now if youre new to cardboard applicators, its useful to be aware that they do not glide like a plastic applicator. But Byrne hopes more awareness about the problem willlead to less plastic along the shoreline. Our top tip for those new to cardboard applicators is to stay calm and dont rush. I've always used cardboard applicators whenever available because they're cheaper and less wasteful. Shown in the example below: If youre finding the cardboard a bit rigid, try this method. "We're operating under this assumption that we need to hide periods," she said. These combined sewer overflows are used in cities likeToronto andVancouver. Some applicators are made of cardboardbut many are now plastic, and come in different colours, depending on the design and brand. Whatever it was, it harbored bacteria easily and cause toxic shock syndrome, a situation that put many women of my generation off of tampons for a very long time. If youre ready for a reusable, shop our menstrual cups here! These applicators are often found on shorelines along with condoms and needles,items thatusually originate in the same place the toilet. As compared to other alternatives, these applicators are eco-friendly and hypoallergenic., Plastic tampons, or rather tampons with plastic applicators, became a rage amongst women. Cardboard Tampons VS Plastic Tampons Know Your Choices, Women all around the globe are just on one mission: to find the, Tampons come in different variants as one can choose from the various, Several women like using cotton tampons with plastic applicators as it is more comfortable to insert. We're taught that it is disgusting.". 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Vostral describedhow pads and tampons are designed to be as discreet as possible to help people "pass" as if they're not menstruating. Why are they ending up on beaches in the first place? DAMEs range of organic cotton tampons are also completely compostable. As for the actual tampon part: every cardboard kind I've tried has a tampon that expands in length and width, which doesn't work as well as the kind that "blossom" open. I switched to tampons without applicators years ago though. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Although they're not listed as one of the items in theupcoming Canadian ban on single-use plastics, tampon applicators are frequently found in shoreline cleanups and don't easily degrade. Never noticed much of a difference with the actual tampon itself but to me the cardboard applicator is super uncomfortable and can sometimes mess up how I insert. These microplastics are having a devastating impact on marine life as they are injested by fish, birds and other marine life with fatal effects., Its really down to the manufacturers to look at ways they can design out plastic from their products, Rosie Cotgreave, plastics campaigner at Friends of the Earth, told HuffPost UK. Non-applicator tampons are an obvious choice, but if you do prefer an applicator for insertion, consider switching to cardboard. How often are you complimented on your looks? I had only used Australian tampons and then was visiting a friend in Canada who had the applicator type and I needed one. Having issues managing your subscriptions? It now has nearly 150,000 signatures. Generally cotton, bleached or unbleached. There are alternatives available if you want to ditch the plastic applicator. Tampons with cardboard applicators are suitable for your body as well as our environment. There are already some plastic-free products on the market, so we know it can be done.. Place one thumb towards the base of the cardboard applicator, and the other thumb toward the top of the cardboard applicator. Today in Canada, many tampons are sold with an applicator, which helps the user insert the tampon. But this is a minor adjustment. "It comes down to understanding the implications of single-use plastic," Byrne said. During her annual cleanupsalong the shores of Lake Ontario, Rochelle Byrne has come across hundreds of plastic tampon applicators. Tampon applicators, Vostral explained, have their own history of discretion. Your email address will not be published. On their websites, tampon companies saynot to flush their products. Asda and Boots own brand tampon ranges as well as Superdrugs standard range use biodegradable paper applicator tubes and recyclable packaging, but plastic can be found, once again, inside the tampons themselves. The plastics that are found include both polyethylene, the most common form of plastic, and polypropylene, which is the plastic used in teabags and chocolate bar wrappers. For the life of me I could not figure out how the applicator was meant to make it easier. Actually I've used both types--applicator and non applicator-- and now that I think of it, the guts of the tampon are different. Although its main range offers biodegradable cardboard applicators, plastic can be found in its Pearl and Compak ranges. They can also be composted if you have the facilities. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated that Sainsburys own-brand cardboard applicator tampons were plastic free, however they contain around 3% plastic. The applicators help insert the tampon with ease, and one should know the pros and cons of both these types of applicators to make a better choice. Love them! "I think it comes down to just the convenience of flushing," Byrne said. "That was the argument: that it was a mess, and you don't need to touch the mess.". 1.3 billion plastic tampon applicators go into landfill in the UK. Since 2014, when Byrne began organizing cleanups, she estimates they've found over 1,500 tampon applicators along Lake Ontario. "But just making it neutral instead of stigmatized is a big shift.". Not many people want to shine a light on tampon waste, Alec Mils and Celia Pool, DAMEs founders, told HuffPost UK. Which raises the question, why is there plastic in our tampons in the first place? Here, were talking about switching from plastic/bio-plastic applicators to cardboard applicators A simple switch with a big impact. Does the cotton part work differently or is it just how they get put in place? "People don't know that they're even a problem," she said. Whats the best (or worst) reaction someone had to you What is the most unrealistic thing about the way sex is How did you deal with going from being a child to getting Women of Reddit Whats one thing you should never say to What is the strangest thing youve seen a partner do? Is It Better to Use Pads or Tampons Know Which Is Better for Period, Can you Take a Drug Test While on your Period Know from Professionals, Best Sanitary Pads for Tweens Be Prepared for First Period, Best Pads for Sports Period Suitable Sanitary Pad for Sports Classes. AskWomen: A subreddit dedicated to asking women questions about their thoughts, lives, and experiences; providing a place where all women can comfortably and candidly share their responses in a non-judgmental space. Way easier for me. HuffPost UK also reached out to Lil Lets, who had not responded at the time of publishing. But not everyone has shown support for the petition against plastic applicators. "A lot of people aren't happy with the alternatives on the market now, and don't want to make that change," Byrne said. The applicator will just work and feel differently. When modern tampons came into common use in the 1930s, there were worries about women using their fingers to insert a tampon, whichled to the development of the applicator. Flushing these productshas helped hide periods for decades. A couple of online videos can also help you understand more about inserting such tampons with utmost ease. AskWomen rules | AskWomen FAQreddit rules | reddiquette. Tampon applicators are nowhere near as abundant as other shoreline litter for example, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanupfound more than 680,000 cigarette butts and 74,000 food wrappers last year. "I think it's like, out of sight, out of mind, get rid of it," Vostral said. These applicators also end up on beaches and in the oceans. Any particular brands you like? These applicators were one of the first applicators that were ever invented, and as the name suggests, these applicators are made of cardboard. "If people are at someone else's house or out at a restaurant and there isn't a way to dispose of the applicator discreetly, it's probably easier to flush it down the toilet so it's gone.". But I'm 28 (I have no idea why that makes a difference but you referred to age) and the plastic applicators didn't exist when I started using tampons. However, there are alternatives. A menstrual cup is rated by the Womens Environmental Network as the most sustainable option for those looking to make their period more eco-friendly. I just buy whichever (cardboard or plastic) is cheaper/on offer. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Does anyone under the age of 20 use the cardboard kind? The tampon itself was much bigger and I found it difficult to get it lined up properly. If youre the same and want to reduce plastic use as much as possible then consider this simple swap. One can also follow the instructions provided on the packaging to ensure a smooth insert. I've used the cardboard kind under the age of 20. A Mooncup, (a particularly popular menstrual cup brand) for instance, is available for 20 and lasts ten years. The only difference is you rinse it after, instead of flushing it. Twist lightly and push slowly. a tampon is a tampon - cardboard was the more environmentally friendly option, The Kotex tampons left cotton behind in me grrrrr. Cardboard applicators are firstly biodegradable. If you do not want to receive marketing communications that we think you will be interested in, you can opt out by ticking this box now or in the future via your account. Skip to Checkout, Get up to 10% off every order & FREE shipping when you subscribe to hassle-free deliveries. It has been revealed that every year, 1.3 billion plastic tampon applicators go into landfill in the UK (thats 25 million each week!). Cardboard applicators do not glide easily but one can use the trick of twist and turn to insert the tampons with ease. Lower hands ready to insert. Once they were in, they didn't seem any different to me. Cardboard naturally has a more rigid feel to plastic, so you need to be prepared for this difference. "I don't think it's realistic to say everyone's going to jump up and embrace their periods," she said. I guess that's what my mom bought me in the beginning? I thought that was just a name brand. These ways of thinking about menstruation may be at the root of why so many tampon applicators end up in the sewage system. But in this article, were focusing on a prime offender the plastic tampon applicator. OB's range with plastic applicators come to mind. No matter how attractive the packaging is or how catchy the brands tagline is, we women just demand one thing: to have comfortable periods and have sanitary products that can make our periods convenient.. With your left hand, hold the grooves on the middle of the upper applicator, then place your right index finger flat against the bottom of the applicator. Cardboard applicator tampons are cheap and as such are unlikely to have pearls or other features. The plastic in tampons is an urgent problem that we need to address, Kate Metcalf, co-director of Womens Environmental Network told HuffPost UK. Sign up and we'll email you a daily dose of lifestyle stories, covering sex, relationships, health, wellness, money, and green living. As a beginner, if someone, If you have been thinking about making the shift to cardboard applicators or. I would never go back to applicator types. The Kickstarter campaign can be found here. If people still choose to use tampons with applicators, Byrne wants them to understand the ramifications of disposing of them in the toilet. "I think it does have a lot to do with embarrassment," she said. Natracares non-applicator tampons are wrapped in recyclable plastic and their application tampons are wrapped in biodegradable wax lined paper. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. "It's because people flush them down the toilet.". I definitely noticed the applicator type seemed more rough or less compacted and smooth or something. How to Take out a Tampon without It Hurting Pull out Safely! They're the same. Ideal to give organic a -go on your next period. Edmonton students pushing for waste-free menstrual products, Winnipeg crafter creates reusable menstrual products, Ottawa business donates 3,000 menstrual cups to Nunavut, upcoming Canadian ban on single-use plastics, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Tampons come in different variants as one can choose from the various absorbency type and opting for either plastic or cardboard applicators. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello folks, I am George Justice, a molecular biologist with a passion for writing. Part of HuffPost Lifestyle. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Does your SO have full access to your phone and all your Women of reddit who respond with only one word sentence Women of reddit , What could $100,000 do for your current How do you maintain adult friendships with other women if What does a cultured person look/seem like to you? I can only use the cardboard kind when my period is heavy. The fact that they're ending up on beaches is "an indicator that there's sewage being discharged in the area," said Mark Mattson, the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and president of SwimDrinkFish, a group that monitors the water in Lake Ontario. A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. "There [were] concerns that women might find [tampons] pleasurable," Vostral said, "and that they really should not be touching themselves.". Single-use plastics are common across popular tampon brands in applicators, packaging and even inside the tampons. Gendered slurs are strictly scrutinized; please see our gendered slurs policy guide.If you edit your comment, let us know and it may be reinstated. But why are tampon applicators ending up on our shores in the first place? "Because they're hard plastic, they float," Le Souef said. Even when the tampon is pretty well saturated, it feels like someone is pulling my insides out. Ready to make the switch? Plastic applicators are quite easy to work with and also offer more control when it comes to making some adjustments. It may be easy to overlook the issue of plastic applicators on our shores, Byrne said, because "it's a bit of a taboo topic." DAMEs tampons do come in a plastic wrapper currently, but it is in the process of introducing biodegradable packaging. They're so common that her non-profit, A Greener Future, began a petition a few years ago asking leading tampon brand Tampax to stop making plastic applicators. I've used both kinds with different brands and I haven't noticed a difference in the actual tampon. British organic tampon company DAME has launched a reusable applicator, the D. The idea is you use, rinse and reuse the applicator, instead of throwing away countless plastic ones every month. Your email address will not be published. Untreated sewage shouldn't generally be released into Canadian waters. In Australia, tampons with applicators are a rare product and generally only used by young women who are first starting to use tampons, who then switch to non-applicator tampons within a month or so. As a beginner, if someone starts with tampons with cardboard applicators, it can be tricky initially, but once habituated, tampons with cardboard applicators are also easy to insert. As these applicators are made of plastic these are not biodegradable but some companies do make use of other materials along with plastic to make these applicators. On UK beaches there are nine plastic tampon applicators found per kilometre. Your time of the month can be fraught with discomfort and the environmental impact of your tampon is likely to be the furthest thing from your mind. She's also a 2020 CBC Joan Donaldson scholar. She added that anyone used to plastic applicators may find it difficult to switch. The AHPMA expressly discourages the flushing of feminine hygiene products. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The applicator was also supposed to make the overall process of using a tampon less dirty. So Byrne did some research to find outwhy they were ending up there. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. I don't understand this part of the question. Period products, in general, get called into question (WEN revealed that around 90% of non-organic pads are plastic!) Tampons became massively popular among women as it is more comfortable to wear them, especially for the women who like to do yoga, swim or any other physical activity during menstruation. Since I have studied human anatomy and biology for years pursuing my education, I thought of starting up a blog dedicated to womens health entirely. that's a difference between brands - the applicator doesn't change that. The TOTM cardboard applicator tampon has a twist and push design. "And that it doesn't go away for a very long time.". "We're taught to not tell people. So, if they do end up in the landfill they will break down naturally. some plastic applicator ones expand widthwise like applicator-less tampons. (Side note: its important to NEVER flush any period care product. So, your effort to adapt to using cardboard in place of plastic will help our planet in the long run. Like a regular cardboard applicator is the same width, if not bigger, than a super-sized plastic applicator. Pearls? Does anyone under the age of 20 use the cardboard kind? The good news is plastic-free periods are possible. Superdrugs compact tampons also use plastic applicators. The tampon part itself is most likely made of the same material, no matter what the applicator is like. The ideaof keepingmenstruation discreet may be at the root of this plastic problem, said Sharra Vostral, aprofessor at Purdue University who's studied the history of menstrual padsandthe author of two books on the subject. If you have been thinking about making the shift to cardboard applicators or cardboard tampons, it is worth giving a shot. Less trash, fits in my pocket, less mess in general.
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