Why menstrual cups could be the answer to period waste pollution

Imagine every period you've ever had, heaped in a dumpsite. Every pad, tampon, their wrappers stacked on each other in a bloated state, and relentlessly piling up for months, years, decades, centuries. Now, multiply that by over a billion menstruators worldwide, or even, to zoom it in on Kenya, the 9.3 million women and girls in reproductive age according to UNICEF. The result? A silent, insipid staggering crisis of plastic waste in our environment that few dare to talk about. However, what if a small reusable cup could be the change our country and the world desperately need? How often do you come across a used pad lying by the roadside or find one in your backyard, seemingly from out of nowhere? According to World Health Organisation (WHO), modern pads and tampons are over 90 per cent plastic, with tampon applicators often made of polyethylene, all of which end up in the environment. Though they contain some organic matter, they aren't classified as medical waste, making recycling difficult. Reports show that these disposable pads may take ups of 500 - 800 years to break down. Some end up in water systems, others blocking sewage because of their super-absorptive materials causing backflow of sewage. Others are thrown in rivers and in latrines and informal waste dumps. Ochanda Mathew, CEO of Team Environment Kenya, says that menstrual and other sanitary waste are significant yet often overlooked environmental concerns. He emphasises that improved waste management policies, along with proper marketing, awareness creation, consumer education, and sustainable innovation, are key to transforming menstrual waste management. According to Ochanda, a single menstruator can use anywhere between 5,000 to 15,000 disposable products in a lifetime. Globally, disposable menstrual products generate (from production to packaging) about 245,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, according to a GIZ report. Sustainable alternative On an individual level, Ochanda estimates that a person's annual use of these products contributes approximately 5.3kg of CO2 emissions. Additionally, cotton farming for these products requires large amounts of water and pesticides, further increasing their environmental footprint. He notes that menstrual cups, made from medical-grade silicone or rubber, offer a sustainable alternative by reducing plastic waste. The sustainability and reusability of menstrual cups could cut period waste by over 90 percent, significantly reducing the burden on landfills and minimising soil toxicity. While some companies and institutions are managing period waste, Ochanda believes these efforts fall short. Services like Rentokil collect sanitary waste from offices, schools, and institutions, but most households remain uncovered. "Some brands now use organic materials like banana fibre and bamboo to make biodegradable sanitary products, reducing pollution," he says. He stresses the need for community-driven solutions, noting that while countries like Rwanda and Scotland support reusable menstrual products through policies, Kenya still has room for improvement. Practical, local initiatives, he adds, are key to tackling menstrual waste sustainably. Phyllis, from Hands of Grace Community, a grassroots organisation advocating for menstrual health based in Kibera, says cultural beliefs play a big role in how menstrual cups are perceived in some communities. She adds that in communities practicing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or with conservative traditions, menstrual cups face resistance. "For some women who have undergone FGM, insertion can feel daunting and uncomfortable," she explains. Awareness creation But education is changing that. Her organisation is breaking down these fears by explaining the female anatomy and debunking the misconception that virginity is tied to an intact hymen. "We teach them that virginity is lost through sexual intercourse, not through using a menstrual cup. Some girls even break their hymen from sports, but that doesn't mean they aren't virgins." Phyllis says that successful campaigns have helped increase menstrual cup adoption in several communities. The key, she explains, is working with people from within the community rather than bringing in outsiders to introduce the product. This approach worked. "We don't just hand out menstrual cups, we collect baseline data when we distribute them, then follow up after three months to get feedback. And from what we've seen, about 95 to 99 per cent of women and girls who try the cup for the first time continue using it throughout their cycles." A similar project in Busia County had a profound impact. "Busia is a border region where some girls engage in transactional sex just to afford menstrual products. But after receiving a menstrual cup, some of them told us they no longer had to rely on men for pads. One girl even said, "I have no worries anymore. I just keep my cup, and every month, I use it again." The demand has continued to grow, with schools requesting more menstrual cups for their students. Phyllis believes that education is the most effective way to break myths and taboos, making menstrual cups more acceptable. Another common concern is hygiene. Many assume that menstrual cups are unsanitary, but Phyllis argues otherwise. "Of all menstrual products, cups are actually among the most hygienic," she argues. Trust remains a major barrier, as many communities view menstrual cups as a foreign concept. To address this, Hands of Grace engages local women as community champions. These women try the cups first and share their experiences and make it easier for others to adopt the idea. Fear factor Parental resistance is another challenge, as many mothers are reluctant to let their daughters use menstrual cups. To overcome this, Hands of Grace starts by introducing the cups to the mothers. Once they try them and see the benefits, they become more open to allowing their daughters to use them. This approach works. The misconceptions are slowly fading. "Once they understand, they embrace it," Phyllis says. "By the time we ask who wants a cup, the hands go up on their own." Biti, a university student, laughs as she recalls her first reaction to menstrual cups. "When I first saw one, I was like, 'How's that big thing going to fit?'" she says. "I had actually seen one at home when I was around 10 years old, and I just couldn't wrap my head around how it worked." Her initial skepticism was rooted in uncertainty about the size and insertion process, just like many first-time users. Nonetheless, over time, with the right information and a bit of practice, her perspective changed. Biti admits that fear was her biggest hurdle when switching to a menstrual cup. "What if it doesn't work? What if my body rejects it? What if I get an infection? What if it falls off?" she recalls the flood of worries that filled her mind. Another university student and a non-user, Purity the Loved, is still on the fence about trying a menstrual cup. "I don't know if I actually want to try it yet," she admits. "Maybe in the long run, when I'm just at home and not going out. Actually, yes, if I'm working from home, I could give it a try." Comfort and cost Her hesitation isn't about the cup itself but the uncertainty of using it in public spaces. Fear of leaks or discomfort keeps her from making the switch, for now. For Purity, the biggest concerns about menstrual cups are comfort and cost. Purity believes menstrual cups would be more appealing and accessible if more companies embraced them, increasing competition and driving prices down. "Once more brands start producing them, the market price will go down, making them more affordable," she explains. Beyond cost, she stresses on the need for better education on menstrual cups and hygiene. She also echoes that this education should start early, as soon as girls begin their periods, to ensure they grow up familiar with the benefits and challenges. Cicilia Githaiga, founder of Wangari Githaiga & Co Advocates and an expert in environmental law and governance, suggested that government subsidies could make menstrual cups more affordable, ensuring wider accessibility. She also noted that while counties handle waste management, NEMA plays an oversight role in ensuring a clean and healthy environment. Is NEMA fulfilling its mandate? For many women considering menstrual cups, health concerns are a major sticking point. Dr Simon Kigondu, gynecologist at Excella Healthcare acknowledges that despite the existing fears, the actual risks are minimal when used correctly. One of the biggest worries is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection often associated with tampon use. "TSS is extremely rare with menstrual cups," Dr Kigondu clarifies. "Proper cleaning and avoiding prolonged use, beyond the recommended 8 to 12 hours, minimise this risk significantly." Another common concern is infection. Some worry that inserting and removing the cup could introduce bacteria. However, according to Dr Kigondu, infections are unlikely if basic hygiene is maintained. "As long as hands and the cup are properly cleaned before insertion, the risk is low," he explains. "In fact, cups may even be safer than tampons, which can disrupt vaginal flora and increase susceptibility to infections." For first-time users, discomfort and difficulty with insertion or removal can also be intimidating. "The key is choosing the right size and practicing proper insertion techniques," he advises. "With time, most users find them just as comfortable, if not more so, than other menstrual products." Then there's leakage, a concern for many hesitant to make the switch. Dr Kigondu says this usually comes down to improper insertion or using the wrong size. "When placed correctly, a menstrual cup is just as effective, if not more, than pads and tampons," he assures. Ultimately, the actual risks of menstrual cups are minimal for most users. "With proper hygiene and the right fit, they are a safe, sustainable, and effective option for menstrual management," Dr Kigondu concludes. He explains that menstrual cups are quite different from disposable products when it comes to hygiene and safety. First, they're made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, or Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which don't have the absorbent chemicals found in pads and tampons. This makes them gentler on the body. Cups collect rather than absorb menstrual fluid thus they help maintain the vagina's natural moisture and pH balance unlike tampons which can sometimes cause dryness and irritation. From a hygiene standpoint, as long as the cup is cleaned properly, the risk of infections is very low. In fact, because cups don't leave behind fibres like some tampons do, they may even be safer in that regard.

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