How to properly dispose of used period products.

Periods may come and go, but the products we use to manage them stick around much longer than many of us realize. From pads to tampons, cups to period undies, it's important to consider what happens to your period care after you've used it - because it doesn't just vanish into thin air once you toss it.

With growing environmental concerns and plumbing issues caused by improper disposal, understanding how to responsibly dispose of menstrual products has never been more important. A few small changes to how we dispose of our products can make a big difference to our plumbing, our planet, and our hygiene practices.

WHY IS PROPER DISPOSAL OF PERIOD PRODUCTS IMPORTANT?

Proper period product disposal prevents plumbing disasters, protects public health, and reduces environmental damage. The consequences of improper disposal include:

Plumbing problems: Flushed menstrual hygiene products are a significant contributor to plumbing blockages (just ask any plumber!). This can turn out to be a costly (not to mention embarassing) exercise if you have to call a plumber every time a used pad or tampon has blocked your toilet/pipes.

Health risks: Used tampons and pads contain bodily fluids that can possibly transmit diseases including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Proper disposal protects both users, cleaning staff or anyone else sharing your bathroom from bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Environmental impact: Research shows that Australians purchase an estimated 300 million tampons and 500 million disposable pads annually. Studies indicate that each person who menstruates will use between 5,000-15,000 menstrual products over their lifetime, with single-use products taking 500-800 years to break down in landfills.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF USED TAMPONS

The correct way to dispose of tampons is to wrap them in toilet paper or a sanitary disposal bag, and throw them in a sanitary bin or rubbish bin. Here's an easy step-by-step process:

1. Remove your used tampon carefully
2. Wrap it in toilet paper or place it in a sanitary disposal bag if available
3. Place it in a sanitary bin if you're in a public stall, or in the rubbish bin if you're at home (never put them in the toilet)
4. If you're using tampons with an applicator, dispose of the applicator the same way
5. Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting a new tampon

CAN YOU FLUSH TAMPONS DOWN THE TOILET?

No, you should never flush tampons down the toilet. Despite their small size, tampons are designed to absorb fluid and expand, making them a major cause of plumbing blockages (just ask any plumber!). Tampons don't disintegrate like toilet paper and can cause expensive clogs in both home and commercial plumbing systems. 

When flushed, tampons can accumulate in sewer systems and contribute to environmental pollution. Conventional tampon products made with synthetic fibres like rayon can take hundreds years to decompose, and when they reach waterways, they can harm marine life and contribute to ocean pollution. So wrap them and bin them instead.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF A USED MENSTRUAL PAD

Much like tampons, sanitary pads should be wrapped securely, either in toilet paper or in the wrapper of the next pad you're using, and disposed of in a sanitary or rubbish bin. Here's a simle step-by-step guide:

1. Remove the used pad from your underwear
2. Roll it up on itself so that the soiled side is on the inner. The outer adhesive will help keep it in place tightly as you roll it up
3. Wrap it in toilet paper, the original wrapper, or a sanitary disposal bag
4. Place it in a sanitary bin or covered trash bin
5. Empty the bin regularly to prevent odors and bacterial growth

It's important to dispose of garbage bin contents promptly because menstrual fluid can become contaminated with germs and emit smelly odors if left too long.

CAN YOU FLUSH USED PADS DOWN THE TOILET?

Absolutely not - pads and sanitary napkins should never be flushed. Pads are even more problematic than tampons when flushed because they're larger and contain more absorbent material, and so can more easily get stuck in the toilet or clog sewerage pipes.

Conventional pads usually contain plastic and synthetic components and outer packaging, making them particularly harmful to plumbing and the environment. The plastic elements can persist in waterways for hundreds of years, contributing to microplastic pollution in our oceans.

CAN YOU PUT TAMPONS AND PADS IN THE COMPOST?

Composting period products is complex, and experts seem to disagree on safety and effectiveness. Many 'eco' brands claim their products are biodegradable, but this isn't entirely true. While 100% organic cotton tampons more easily biodegrade in landfill, most pads contain plastic components (like outer wrappers, adhesives and polymers) that won't break down, or may take hundreds of years to do so. Industrial composting facilities typically refuse period products due to bodily waste concerns (i.e. period blood), but also may not even consider compostable packaging (many currently only accept compostable food waste only - check with your local council).

Home composting requires specific conditions (temperature, moisture and aeration) that may not sterilise potential pathogens. Although menstrual blood could add soil nutrients, risks include odors, pests, and local regulation restrictions. If it's something you're keen to undertake, here are some things to consider:

• Check with manufacturers about all products ingredients/componenets
• Consult a gardening expert to ensure adequate composting conditions
• Practicability (volume of products vs. time taken to degrade)
• Risks like attracting pests, smells or your pets digging used products up.

Consider eco alternatives

If you have environmental concerns about the volume of period care you're using and where they end up once you've disposed of them, it may be worth considering options made with organic cotton (over synthetic fibres) which are more likely to break-down faster in landfill, or consider alternative options like a reusable period cup, which can last 5 - 10 years if properly cared for.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF MENSTRUAL CUPS

Menstrual cups should be emptied into the toilet, rinsed, and reused - not disposed of after each use. These reusable products can generally last 5 -10 years with proper care (read and follow the instructions in each pack). When it's finally time to retire an old menstrual cup:

1. Cut the silicone cup into small pieces
2. Dispose of the pieces in regular household trash
3. While not entirely waste-free, the overall environmental impact of using a menstrual cup far outweighs single-use products, given the amount of time you can use it for.

The contents of menstrual cups (menstrual fluid) can be safely emptied into toilets and flushed, as this is the same as natural bodily waste.

Bonus: Moxie period cups are made using a zero-waste injection moulding production process - so we only use the exact amount of medical-grade silicone we need for each cup - think of it a bit like a chocolate mould, but for period cups!

HOW TO DISPOSE OF USED PERIOD UNDERWEAR

Period underwear is designed to be washed and reused multiple times, not disposed of after each use. These reusable products typically last 30-50 washes (depending on the brand and care) before needing replacement. Always follow manufacturer instructions to get the best and longest use out of whichever you choose to buy.

When it's time to retire old period underwear:

• Cut the underwear into small pieces to prevent reuse by others
• Place pieces in your regular household rubbish bin
• The synthetic absorbent layers mean they cannot be composted or recycled, though any natural fibre components (like cotton or other biodegradable materials) may degrade over time, provided the right conditions.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF PERIOD PRODUCT PACKAGING?

Most period product packaging should be recycled when possible (like outer cardboard boxes), but outer plastic bags and wrappers typically cannot be recycled and need to be disposed of in a rubbish bin. Plastic applicators from tmapons and plastic outer wrappers  from tampons and pads cannot be recycled due to recycling regulations and are destined for landfill where they can take hundreds of years to break down. However:

• Cardboard boxes can usually be recycled (where facilities exist in your area)
• Paper wrappers are preferable to plastic ones 
• Look for brands using minimal, recyclable packaging (shameless Moxie products plug!)
• When in doubt, contact the manufacturer about their packaging materials

At Moxie, we're proud to be the only brand in Australia (and beyond, that we know of!) to wrap both our tampons AND pads in recyclable paper, not plastic. Since making the switch, we've saved over 2.1 tonnes of plastic from landfill. And, we're just getting started.

TIPS FOR DISPOSAL AWAY FROM HOME

When disposing of period products in public restrooms or at friends' homes, follow the  same thoughtful principles we've talked about above. Most public restrooms have sanitary bins in each stall for period product disposal, so wrap your pad or tampon and place it in the bin provided. If you're using a period cup, empty your cup in the toilet, rinse it in cold water (if possible - if not, you can either wipe it out with toilet paper or a water wipe, or just empty it and re-insert, then rinse it properly when you get home) and re-insert it.

If no disposal bin is available:

• Wrap products in toilet paper and place them in the nearest bin
• Carry disposal bags in your bag for emergencies
• Never leave unwrapped products in inappropriate places. This isn't polite or hygienic for the next person using the bathroom or the person cleaning it
• When at someone's home, wrap used pads or tampons and place them in a bin provided, or worse case, wrap them tightly and take them with you. You should have access to a bin sometime soon.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Proper period product disposal is a simple yet crucial practice that protects our plumbing and our planet. The key rules to remember are: never flush any period products down the toilet, always wrap them before disposal, use rubbish bins instead of toilets, and consider switching to more sustainable options (natural fibres that more easily break down, or longer-use products like period cups) when and if possible.

By following these simple practices, you're not only preventing costly plumbing repairs and environmental damage but also contributing to a cleaner, safer world for everyone. Small changes in how we dispose of our period care can make a significant difference in reducing the millions of tons of menstrual waste generated each year.

If nothing else, remember this one rule: the only things that should go down the toilet are the three P's - pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. Everything else, including all period products, belong in the bin.

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NOTE: just like the discussions had and info provided on TikTok, the information provided here is intended to educate and inform only, and does not constitute medical advice or replace a personalised medical diagnosis from your GP or a medical professional. The aim is to inform and encourage you to get to know your flow and your body, and get checked if things seem off in any way.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES 

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics - 2022. Harrison, A.L., et al. (2023). Menstruation: Environmental impact and need for global health equity.

British Medical Journal - 2019. Pachauri, A., Shah, P., Almroth, B.C., Sevilla, N.P.M., & Narasimhan, M. (2019). Safe and sustainable waste management of self care products.

BMC Women's Health - March 2023. Lim, M., Hellard, M., Aitken, C.K., et al. Reusable period products: use and perceptions among young people in Victoria.