Let’s talk about period plastic and the environmental impact of conventional period products.

In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste we generate every day and live more sustainably, concerns around period plastic are on the rise. Conventional tampons and pads have been found to contain large amounts of single-use plastic.

Tackling the wave of period plastic.

In the UK alone, we generate over 200,000 tonnes of menstrual product waste each year, most of which is plastic. On top of this, approx 1.5-2 billion menstrual items are flushed (in error) down the toilet every year. These facts alone show us that period plastic pollution is a problem for the planet. 

The facts to know in 2024:

• Carbon-neutral period care exists.

If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint, then good news you can get carbon-neutral period care. Alongside the period plastic problem, conventional products use cotton and rayon. Non-organic cotton is often grown using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which use a lot of energy to produce and contribute to greenhouse gases. Additionally, rayon production pollutes water and can contribute to deforestation.

Our organic cotton range is made in a facility powered by renewable energy. We work with ClimatePartner to measure, reduce and offset unavoidable emissions, making our range carbon-neutral.

• Plastic tampon applicators are not widely recyclable.

It is recommended to dispose of all tampon applicators in general waste. The recycling of tampon applicators in the UK can vary depending on the local council’s recycling scheme. As tampon applicators are small and made of mixed materials, they are generally not accepted. They also come into contact with bodily fluids which makes them unsuitable for recycling.

For this reason, to tackle period plastic, we recommend opting for cardboard tampon applicators or reusable tampon applicators. Plastic tampon applicators can take up to 500 years to break down. According to a Greenpeace report from 2019, bio-plastic tampon applicators can take the same time to break down as regular plastic applicators.

• Menstrual cups offer 99% waste saving.

Menstrual cups are an eco-friendlier period product because they are reusable and last a long time – up to 10 years! They create less waste and use fewer resources when comparing them to all other period care products. Other reusables, like period pants, need to go in the washing machine after use which uses energy every cycle. With a menstrual cup, you pop it in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to sterilise at the end of your period. For these reasons, cups are truly a zero-waste period solution.

• SAP or superabsorbent polymers are petroleum-derived and commonly used in pads

SAP also known as superabsorbent polymers or mislabeled as ‘sap’ are petroleum-derived additives used to cheaply enhance the absorbency of menstrual pads. These are often added to many conventional pads and bamboo pads on the market but can take up to 500 years to break down. For this reason, we never use SAP in our range, instead we opt for sustainable and naturally absorbent materials. It’s important to do your research, even when shopping period care labelled as ‘eco-friendly.’ If you’re in doubt, a quick water test can help reveal any hidden SAP in your pads. Simply pour water onto the pad and cut it in half. If you see a crystalised ‘slush’ appear, then your pad contains SAP.

• In 2024, there are so many ways to tackle period plastic as we have more options.

Sustainability is changing period care we as know it. It’s great to have so many options in 2023. This matters as nobody should feel pressure to use period products that don’t work for them. We face enough shame and discomfort during our periods without added societal pressure. Depending on your budget, lifestyle, and flow, you can find a way to reduce period plastic that fits with your needs. You can choose organic/natural tampons or pads, menstrual cups, period pants or a mix.

Also, one thing that everyone can do to have a more sustainable period – is never flush tampons or pads. UK Water companies say to only flush the 3 P’s (paper, poo, and pee) down the toilet. This helps prevent sewage blocks and ocean pollution.

We hope these period plastic facts support your efforts to have a planet-friendly period. You can shop our range here.

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Sustainable period products are changing how we manage periods for good.

We understand that changing your period care and trying something new is daunting. If you’re keen to switch to sustainable period products but don’t know where to start this post is for you!

Switching to sustainable period products: Where to start

Before switching to sustainable period products, consider your period needs and preferences. Think about how heavy your flow is, how long you bleed and if you experience discomfort with certain products. It’s also worth considering your budget, lifestyle, and any other factors that may impact your period.

Choosing which products to try

There are many different options. Here, we are giving you the lowdown on sustainable period products to help you shop smart:

• Organic cotton periods products

Organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners perform like conventional period products but are designed to be gentler on the planet. These will either use organic cotton throughout the product or in the cover/top sheet. Not all organic cotton products are made equal. We recommend checking the ingredients. You can find artificial absorbents (SAP) and titanium dioxide in some of these tampons and pads 👀. Side note: At TOTM, we use organic cotton from the core to cover. We never add fragrance, dyes, chlorine bleach, titanium dioxide or artificial absorbents to our organic range.

To further reduce waste, look to switch from plastic wrappers and applicators. Plastic and bio-plastic applicators are not widely accepted in recycling across the UK, therefore contribute to single-use plastic waste.

• Menstrual cups

Menstrual cups are a zero-waste solution for your period. They are waste-saving and can help you save money every cycle. With good care, you can keep a menstrual cup for up to 10 years. Look for menstrual cups made from medical-grade materials like TPE or silicone. The quality of the cup is important. You want this to last on your period to reap the cost-saving and planet-saving rewards! 🙌

When choosing a cup, remember they come in different shapes and sizes. The majority of cups are anatomically sized and will come with sizing guidelines. If you ever need help here, always ask the brand. If you’re new to cups, you might want to factor in an ‘adjustment phase.’ Give yourself time to try out the cup in a comfortable setting and try out different cup folds. We recommend using a liner when using the cup for the first time in case you experience leakage as a cup newbie. Take a look at our bundle which we created for first-time cup users!

• Period underwear & reusable pads

Reusable period underwear and pads have absorbent materials layered in the gusset to soak up menstrual flow. Due to this design feature, you can use them without other products (depending on how heavy your flow is). Period pants and pads come in different shapes, styles, and absorbencies. To protect the planet, look for period underwear made from sustainable materials. Options include organic cotton or Tencel ™, for example. Materials like regular cotton and polyester damage the environment during production. Like a menstrual cup, you’ll want to invest in a quality pair of period pants to ensure they can stand the test of time 🩲.

Besides sustainable period products, how else can you have a planet-friendly period?

Here are other changes you can make to protect the planet during your period:

• Dispose of your period care in general waste and recycle the outer packaging. Never flush your period care products, only flush the 3Ps. Flushed period care pollutes sewers, rivers, and the ocean.
• If you use a menstrual cup, sterilise your cup in a pan of boiling water for 3-5 minutes instead of using disposable wipes.
• Use eco-friendly washing detergent to clean your period pants or reusable pads.
• Store your period products in a reusable pouch, bag, or tin. This keeps them safe between cycles or when you are out and about to prevent damage which leads to wastage.
• Champion sustainable periods by spreading the word with your family and friends.

We hope these tips around sustainable period products help you on your journey towards a planet-friendly period. Ready to make the switch? Shop our planet-friendly range here.

The post The Lowdown On Sustainable Period Products appeared first on TOTM.

Menstrual cups are fast becoming a popular, zero-waste way to manage periods.

Over the past few years, menstrual cups have been a hot topic, even mentioned in the top-rated apocalyptic HBO series, Last of Us. But from speaking with our community, we know that switching to a cup is nerve-wracking. So, we’re here to debunk the menstrual cup myths.

The menstrual cup difference.

Menstrual cups are reusable and designed to reduce waste. The lifecycle of one menstrual cup can save on average 2640 tampons from landfill per person. This matters as conventional period care products can contain up to 90% plastic. Each year in the UK alone, period care products generate over 200,000 tonnes of waste.

Debunking menstrual cup myths.

Here are 6 common myths that we’re debunking to help out anyone curious about giving a menstrual cup a try:

• Menstrual cups are uncomfortable.

At first glance, menstrual cups may look like they would be uncomfortable to wear, however, many cup users say the complete opposite. Once you find the right cup and size, it can be game-changing for your period. You can fold the cup up to 8 different ways to insert it. The trick is to learn which fold works best for you and practise a few times, so you get used to it.

• Menstrual cups are messy.

Once you get the hang of using a menstrual cup, they are no messier than other menstrual products. It is important to remember that, unlike tampons which absorb menstrual flow, cups collect it. To do this, you need to place the cup lower than a tampon. The clever design of the cup makes it easier to take out. When sitting on the toilet, you squeeze the base to release the seal, then gently remove it.

• Menstrual cups are a new invention.

Menstrual cup magic only hit the mainstream in recent years, but cups have been around for centuries. The idea originated from a patented design in 1867. The design that inspired the menstrual cup as we know it today was invented in 1937 by an American actress called Leona Chalmers.

• Menstrual cups can get stuck inside you.

Rest assured, it is rare for a menstrual cup to get stuck inside the vagina. If you experience difficulty removing the cup, relax and use the stem to guide it down. Remember, cups create a vacuum or suction effect to stay in place. So, when removing it, you pinch or squeeze the end to break the seal. Due to the anatomy of the vagina, a cup can’t get lost inside you.

• Menstrual cups are expensive.

The initial upfront cost of a menstrual cup is higher than other period care products. But, in the long run they can save you money. With proper care, you can keep a menstrual cup for up to 10 years. It depends on your flow and personal preference, but some of our customers only use the cup throughout their period. This means they save on products every cycle. You can also pick up a menstrual cup on promotion. Scroll to discover how you can save on our menstrual cups for a limited time 👀

• Menstrual cups are not hygienic.

A quality menstrual cup is made of medical-grade materials (like TPE or silicone). This means the material has been tested for biocompatibility and safety. A cup made from medical-grade materials can be safely reused if you follow the cleaning instructions. With the TOTM cup, you need to rinse the cup under water when changing it on your period. Then, at the end of every cycle, you sterilise it for 3-5 minutes in boiling water – it’s that easy!

We hope these debunked myths help but drop us a message if you want more support or have questions. Get 20% off our menstrual cups and organic cotton range for limited time only🙌

The post Debunking 6 menstrual cup myths appeared first on TOTM.

Switch Up Your Period Care With TOTM

We promise we’re not being biased 😏. Your vagina is the most absorbent and sensitive part of your body so it’s important to be informed over what you’re using here. With the recent media attention on titanium dioxide and PFAs (forever chemicals) found in some tampons and period pants, giving your period care a spring clean seems like a natural next step.

Many conventional period care brands contain up to 90% plastic in their products. Mainstream period products also contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, dioxins, and chlorine bleach. This cocktail of chemicals and processes can cause irritation and discomfort to your vagina. Not only that, but conventional menstrual products generate 200,000 tonnes of waste every year. Certified organic and sustainable period care puts you and the planet first. You can find out more about the differences in organic period care here.

Plus, here are a few more pros of using our period care:

• Gynecologist approved.
• Cruelty-free and vegan.
• Hypoallergenic and breathable.
• Certified organic cotton.
• No GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms).
• Free from synthetic fragrances, harmful chemicals, and chlorine bleach.
• Plastic free.
• Recyclable packaging.

Give your cycle some TLC with our Self-Care Bundle.

Refresh Your Home With Homethings

When it comes to your spring clean checklist, cleaning is typically right at the top. Giving your home a refresh can be a deep act of self-care. So, why not use zero-waste and non-toxic products whilst you’re doing it? A tidy space means = a tidy mind. In fact, a 2017 study found that clutter links to procrastination, low mood, and anxiety.

A typical cleaning spray is 95% water packaged in a plastic bottle. Homethings mission is to provide planet-positive products that are circular and keep your home (and the planet) clean.

Wipe away the bad vibes with their Bundle is Massive set.

Scrub Up Your Skincare Routine With Upcircle

Skincare is a ritual that allows you to take five minutes out of your busy day to focus on yourself. The beauty industry is one of the worst culprits for creating waste and greenwashing. From the packaging used down to the ingredients. What you put on your body is as important as what you put into your body.

Upcircle aims to lift the lid when it comes to the circularity of skincare. The pioneering beauty brand creates waste-fighting formulations from sourcing and re-using by-products of the food and drinks industry. Their circular approach to skincare focuses on zero-waste packaging and quality organic ingredients. Plus, they’re vegan, cruelty-free, and Soil Association certified. This ensures that there’s no greenwashing packaged with your primer.

Cleanse your skincare routine with their travel-sized skincare bundle.

To celebrate B Corp month we’ve teamed up with Homethings and Upcircle for you to be in with a chance of winning:

🌸 Homethings Bundle Is Massive refillable eco cleaning kit.

🌸 Upcircle Travel-Size Skincare Bundle.

🌸 6 months of TOTM organic period care products (up to 6 boxes).

Head to our Instagram to find out how to enter.

The post Your Spring Clean Checklist With 3 B Corp Brands appeared first on TOTM.

Throughout August all of our TOTM subscribers will be receiving an exclusive discount code for Naturally Tribal and a chance to win some of their best selling products by entering our subscriber-only giveaway.

Tell us about yourself

Naturally Tribal Skincare is a proudly British company, using only Mother Nature’s gifts to create natural skincare products for the whole family without the use of synthetic chemicals. We import personally selected natural ingredients from Africa for research, testing, formulation and manufacture in the UK. Our end products are beautifully packaged for our #Tribers all over the world and allows them to empower African women in the process.

Our company respects nature’s ability to support clean beauty and wellbeing, enabling a healthy body and a happy mind. Our brand ethos is built on valuing healthy, ethical and sustainable living, simplicity and transparency whilst maintaining luxury.

Our mission is to transform natural ingredients into amazing products by ethically sourcing organic unique ingredients and turning them into innovative and enriching premium skincare products for skin conditions. Achieving this whilst at the same time changing lives and protecting the natural environment from which these unique ingredients originate.

Tell us about Naturally Tribal and what inspired you to start your business

Naturally Tribal Skincare was born from personal experience. In 2014, Shalom Lloyd was blessed with the birth of her twins. Her boy, Joshua had miserable eczema – scratch ‘till you bleed’ irritation and she couldn’t bear the idea of smothering his sensitive new skin with chemical emollients and steroids. As a qualified pharmacist, Shalom understood the enormous value of medical treatments; however, our skin is a huge exchange organ which absorbs a lot of what we put on it. So, when you think about it, what we put on ourselves, and our family’s skin, should be just as important as what we eat. She looked to her African heritage for inspiration, recalling recipes containing all-natural ingredients, which has been used in Africa for generations. Shalom started to experiment in her kitchen, using high-quality Shea Butter as the main base, stumbled across the right formulation and within three days of application, Joshua’s skin cleared!

Skin diseases remain a major cause of disability worldwide and according to Allergy UK, as many as 15 million people are living with an infuriating skin condition in the UK alone. 1 in every 5 children in the UK is affected by eczema at some stage. With great results and multiple testimonials from our customers that have managed their eczema, psoriasis and dry skin with our products, has allowed them to avoid or reduce the use of medical treatment, such as steroids, which are chemical-based. Naturally Tribal is a truly unique skincare company, making a positive difference and impact on people’s lives.

Your products get some of their ingredients from Essan – can you tell us about Essan and the people you work with there?

Sourcing the right high quality and premium natural ingredients is the key to our product efficacy and the search for quality ingredients led us to the Kingdom of Essan, Niger State, Nigeria from where our high grade and high-quality ingredients are sourced. Today, our business goes beyond the Naturally Tribal range of skincare products and now gives us the chance to make a real difference, improving the lives of women in Africa who make the high-quality Shea used in our products!

Expertise and heritage are integral to the Naturally Tribal brand, so our collaboration with Essan goes way beyond being ‘just another skincare company’. Our products pay homage to a rich African cultural identity and provide an opportunity for everyone to recognise the significance of the people in Africa involved in our premium ingredients sourcing. We continue to delve deeper for more ancestral, effective, natural skincare recipes and remedies from across the African continent!

We are working with the community in Essan on infrastructure and employment – this underpins our mission and vision. We aim to provide sustainable, fair and enjoyable sources of income for local producers of our ingredients, their families, villages, communities and local areas, thereby empowering the women who are the main workforce. #TradeNotAid.

We are in the process of building our creche so that the women can bring their children and bring their children to work with confidence.

Shea Butter is a key ingredient in your products. What made you choose Shea Butter and how is it sourced?
Shea butter comes from the nuts of karité trees that grow in areas from the West to the East of Africa. To us, it is a major SUPERFOOD that has been around for generations. So, not only is it tried, tested and trusted, it is one of the very few ingredients that is three in one (it is a Humectant, Emollient and Occlusive), which means that attracts moisture into the skins cellular level and seals the moisture in, leaving skin soft and smooth.
It is called Women’s Gold because of its rich colour and its impact on lives. The Shea industry has women at its core with over 16 million rural African women collecting and processing Shea kernels as their main source of income.

We chose this super ingredient because it is amazing for skin conditions, it is non-toxic, it is edible and used for cooking (that’s why we call our moisturisers Body Foods). It’s anti- Inflammatory, anti-oxidant, mild SPF properties make it the perfect base for our products.

People across the globe have in one way or another used or eaten Shea Butter – over 80% of all shea produced are used by the confectionery industry (in chocolates) and it is, of course, a popular ingredient used for cosmetic purposes.

Oh and it is said that Shea Butter was used by Cleopatra, Queen of Sheba, Nefertiti – ancient queens so perfect for the modern-day queen!

In what ways do you feel Naturally Tribal and TOTM align?
Naturally Tribal is a unique skincare brand built on efficacy, sustainability, ethical sourcing, giving back value and love for our planet.

We are empowering the women who produce our ingredients in Africa as well as the people who use our products. Our products contain no nasties and are non-toxic and free from chemicals. Furthermore, we are proud to be Vegan and Cruelty-Free, use planet hugging glass jars and recycled plastic lids to try and do more to help our planet.

All of the above aligns perfectly with TOTM. In our opinion TOTM is a brand that are having honest conversations around period care, changing the industry by removing plastic from sanitary products. We see alignment in our customer base, TOTM women are ethically conscious, environmentally conscious and believe in no nasties.

Both companies inspire our customers to love themselves naturally! Why on earth would we not work together?

We are so pleased to be partnering with Naturally Tribal to celebrate natural, ethically sourced ingredients. This month, all TOTM subscribers will receive an exclusive Naturally Tribal discount code with their subscription order. Find out more about our subscription service and the perks that come with it here.

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