As we all know menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as a part of a women’s healthy monthly cycle in a safe and dignified manner. But in the present time and juncture where there is a scarcity of natural deposits the most augmented and spirited notion is Sustainable Menstruation. The term Sustainable Menstruation refers to the usage of alternative products which in contrast is more beneficial for one’s health and activity of recognising the emotional affinity towards nature and our reliance on it. Sustainable Menstruation, an idea that focuses on providing access to its product to all women who face barriers to purchasing cost-effective menstrual products, is the best alternative.

 

The Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India (MHAI) reports that 336 million menstruating women in India. According to a Central Pollution Board report (2018-19), around 12.3 billion sanitary napkins amounting to 113,000 tonnes of waste, reach India’s landfills yearly. Improper disposal and non-segregation of household waste lead to unhygienic working conditions for waste workers. Commonly available sanitary napkins constitute 90% plastic. India generates about 3.3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.

 

We got in touch with some Menstrual Health educators, to know about some of the advantages of Sustainable Menstruation, which are listed below:

  1. Products of Sustainable Menstruation are cost-effective.

  2. They are environment-friendly.

  3. Uses fewer Plastics

  4. Have fewer toxins

  5. Saves water and soil from contamination

  6. Increases life span

 

In India, the two ways of disposing of sanitary wastes are:

  1. Burying in Landfills- This method takes centuries to decompose causing microplastic pollution.

  2. Burning- Burning releases toxic gasses like dioxins, phuron, and other carcinogenic compounds into the atmosphere.

Sanitary pads have been a great comfort for women but the question is “Are Sanitary Pads really a Blessing?”According to Solid Waste Management rules 2016, the survey found out that the management system is unsystematic. The flushing down of pads causes severe sewer blockages which have proved to be health hazardous. The presence of artificial elements in sanitary pads like Dioxin, Pesticides, herbicides, fragrance, Rayon and Plastics causes Bacterial Vaginosis, Yeast Infection, Cervical Cancer, Infertility, Hormonal Dysfunction, Inflammation, and Thyroid Malfunction.

At ALIG we aim to turn this obstacle into an opportunity and help women realize that it is still not too late to switch to the idea of Sustainable Menstruation. The movement has emerged to be the most noticeable one but will require many more efforts to make it a successful one. It is only possible through effective strategy, and awareness programs and ALIG being the best at it, is already leading. And as Charlie Munger quotes “Hard work is an essential element in tracking down and perfecting a strategy or in executing it”. This grandiose perfectly defines the end that we aim to achieve. So, let us make the past a ruin, among whose debris we will discover our future by taking the responsibility on ourselves to paint a better picture of “Periods” because girls “Periods aren’t bad, issues are”.