Tampontification: Seventh Generation Go 'Beyond the Flow'
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 04.24.07
‘Let’s not beat around the bush here. People still pussyfoot around the “forbidden” subject of menstruation. Tampons and pads just don’t tend to surface in conversation at cocktail parties or tailgates or even at PTA meetings as often as we hope they might. That can make it really tough to get people talking about choosing safer alternatives to conventional feminine care products. We’d like to change that, so we’ve opted to go beyond the flow…’
This is how those sassy folks over at Seventh Generation introduce their new site, Tampontification. And 'go beyond the flow' they certainly have, encouraging readers to donate feminine care products to homeless shelters, launching a blog by ‘the mission fairies’, who will be touring the West Coast in their Tampon mobile (a newly decorated Prius) and talking about all things menstrual and environmental, and they’ve even included a forum for readers to submit their own ‘tampontifications’. Of course, there is a marketing element to all this, as Seventh Generation sell chlorine-free tampons, pads and pantiliners.
We are glad to see Seventh Generation putting their marketing dollars into a genuinely worthy cause, and opening a few minds in the process. For those wanting to delve deeper into this issue, and other natural alternatives for feminine hygiene, check out our guide to ‘How to Green Women’s Personal Care’, or our posts on The Keeper, Luna Pads or The Mooncup.
I'm a user of the Diva Cup (basically, the US/Canada version of the moon cup), and it's really helped cut down on the amount of feminine products I need and use. Though I'm not as excited about it as, say, some of the people on the sight (It has not relieved cramping, and I do need an extra pad to catch some of the flow on my heaviest days), I'd still definitely recommend it. It's lovely going on vacation with nothing but a pouch (and a few pantiliners) and knowing you're not going to have a problem.
I primarily use the Mooncup for my needs and washable organic cotton pantyliners. I do carry Natracare brand pantyliners in my gym bag, just in case. I know that Seventh Generation uses sodium polyacrylate in their disposable diapers and am unsure if it is also in their pads.
I'm the same as Trish -- Personally, I prefer reusable options (such as cups, or washable pads, or sponges), but I keep a few natural/organic options in my purse just in case. Financially AND environmentally responsible, not to mention I feel safer about what's in my underpants.
I am with the other gals. I have used a Diva cup for years and years, now. I will NEVER go back to another option. I buy less, and throw away less. Plus it's the first time in my life that my periods weren't an issue for me.
I know my husband is far happier to avoid the 3am, "Oh god! I have to go to the store!" conversations. While comical, and due to my own bad planning, I am glad not to have them anymore.
I too am with the other girls, I use a Diva Cup and cloth pads that my mum made and I would not go back. It is so convienient and it is MUCH CHEAPER!!! I just wash the pads with my sons cloth nappies.
Simple.
Its time for this topic to be talked about, it is something that most women choose to ignore and it is a huge waste issue both with the products and the packaging. It is great that someone is 'going beyond the flow' to get this out into the public arena. Well Done.