Eco-friendly Period Products

Bleeding Green: My Journey to a Sustainable Period (and Period Peace!)

Hey there, Fika Fam! Emma here, cozying up with a oat milk latte (my usual, you know me!) and feeling reflective. Today, I want to talk about something super personal, something we often shy away from, but something that, for me, has been a quiet revolution in my sustainable living journey: eco-friendly period products.

I?��m 32 now, and honestly, for most of my menstruating life, I just?- didn?��t think about it. Tampons, pads ��C they were just there, a monthly given, an unavoidable expense, and a little pile of trash I?��d quickly dispose of. It wasn't until a few years ago, when I was really diving deep into my sustainable fashion journey, sifting through racks at Kensington Market vintage shops, and trying to make every aspect of my life align with my values, that I had this jarring realization. I was meticulously checking clothing labels for ethical production, composting every scrap of food, refilling my detergents at the local zero-waste shop in Roncesvalles, but then, every month, I was contributing to landfill with single-use period products. It felt like such a massive disconnect.

The numbers hit me hard. Did you know the average menstruator uses between 10,000 and 15,000 disposable period products in their lifetime? And these often contain plastics that take hundreds of years to break down. I pictured all those tampons and pads, individually wrapped in plastic, ending up in our beautiful Lake Ontario eventually, or sitting in some landfill, lingering long after I?��m gone. It made my stomach churn. I knew I had to make a change, but honestly, where do you even start? The world of "alternative" period care felt a bit intimidating, even a little?- gross, to my pre-eco-awakened self.

My First Love: The Menstrual Cup Adventure

My first foray into the world of sustainable period products was, predictably, the menstrual cup. I?��d seen them pop up on my Instagram feed, heard whispers from friends, and read countless articles online. Still, the thought of it gave me pause. A cup? *Inside* me? For hours? My initial reaction was a mix of curiosity and sheer terror. It felt like a big leap from the familiar comfort of a tampon.

I remember the day I bought my first cup. I was at a health food store near Queen West, feeling a bit self-conscious as I picked it up. It came in a neat little box, promising freedom and sustainability. I got home, unwrapped it, boiled it (as instructed, for sterilization!), and then?- stared at it.

It looked so big! The first attempt was, shall we say, a comedy of errors. I read the instructions, watched a dozen YouTube videos on folding techniques, and still, it just didn't feel right. I nearly gave up then and there, convinced it wasn't for me.

My partner, bless his heart, found me in the bathroom, looking defeated. "It's a learning curve, Em," he said kindly. "Give it another try."

And I did. The next day, armed with a bit more patience and a newfound determination, something clicked. I found a fold that worked for me (the 'punch-down' fold, if you're curious!), took a deep breath, and success! It popped open, sealed, and felt?- nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was like I wasn't even on my period. I walked around my apartment, did a little dance, and even went for a quick grocery run feeling utterly liberated. No strings, no bulky pad, just freedom.

That first cycle with the cup was transformational. I learned how to insert it easily, how to remove it without a spill (mostly!), and how incredibly clean and efficient it was. I could go for hours without thinking about it, something that was a constant struggle with tampons on heavy days. It's been years now, and my menstrual cup is still my absolute MVP. It?��s saved me so much money, prevented so much waste, and given me a level of period comfort I never thought possible. Plus, the feeling of empowerment, knowing I'm making a conscious choice for my body and the planet, is just incredible.

Enter the Real step up: Period Underwear

While I loved my cup, there were days, especially lighter flow days or when I just wanted extra backup, that I still reached for a disposable pad. I felt a bit guilty about it, but sometimes comfort won out. That?��s when I heard about period underwear. Again, skepticism abounded. Underwear that absorbs blood? Seriously? Would it feel like wearing a diaper? Would it leak? The questions swirled.

But my curiosity, and my commitment to Fika Looks' sustainable ethos, won out. I ordered a few pairs online, choosing a brand that focused on ethical production and sustainable materials. When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. They looked and felt like normal underwear, just a little thicker in the gusset area. The true test came on my next cycle.

Oh. My. Goodness. Where have these been all my life?! Period underwear is a revelation. I started wearing them on my lighter days, or as backup with my cup, and they are so incredibly comfortable. There?��s no bulk, no crinkling, just soft, absorbent fabric that keeps you feeling dry and secure. Sleeping in them is a dream ��C no worries about leaks! I?��ve even worn them under dresses for a night out in the Distillery District, feeling completely confident.

My laundry routine for them is simple: rinse them in cold water immediately after use, then toss them in a mesh bag with my regular darks and wash on cold. Air dry, and they're good to go again. It?��s a little extra step, but it?��s become second nature. I now have a small collection of period undies in various absorbencies, and they've completely replaced disposable liners and light pads for me. They?��re fantastic for teens just starting their period journey too, taking away so much of the stress and mess.

The OG Eco Option: Reusable Pads

Now, while the cup and period underwear are my mainstays, I also dabbled in reusable cloth pads. I know, I know, some people find the idea a bit?- antiquated. But hear me out! For certain situations, like when I'm at home all day and just want something easy to change, or when I want a completely breathable option, cloth pads are wonderful.

I found a local artisan at a market near High Park who made beautiful, soft cloth pads out of organic cotton and bamboo. They come in various sizes and patterns, and they snap around your underwear. They are surprisingly absorbent and incredibly comfortable, feeling much softer against the skin than plastic-y disposables. For me, they?��re a great addition to my rotation, especially on those lazy Sunday mornings when I?��m just lounging around, sipping coffee, and catching up on my favourite sustainable living blogs (like Fika Looks, perhaps?).

Washing them is similar to period underwear: a cold rinse, then into the wash. They do take a bit longer to dry than regular underwear, so having a few on hand is key. They're definitely not my go-to for a busy day out and about, but for at-home comfort and for offering a truly zero-waste option, they're fantastic.

The Real Impact: Beyond the Period

It's been a few years since I fully transitioned to eco-friendly period products, and looking