The Tilsons

For our zero waste themed “Resilient Manitoulin” meeting this Sunday, I have undertaken the task of researching hygiene and food.  I thought I would share my findings with regards to these topics over the next little while.  Here is some resources for those looking to reconnect to their monthly cycle by using reusable menstrual equipment.

I myself have been using pads and a Keeper (or Diva Cup) from the Vancouver based company Luna Pads for over five years.  There are several other companies out there who make similar products including Canada based Hankettes and Many Moons Alternatives as well as Portland based GladRags.

My main reason for using reusable pads is ecological.  Once I figured out how many pads I would be using over my life time I felt that the convenience of throw away pads was just not worth the damage I was personally doing to the earth.  Lets see my calculations:

I am one of those lucky women who gets her period for 7 days.  For the first three days it is heavy.  I would say I use an average of 4 pads per day.  Then for the following 4 days I’m spotting, using an average of 3 pantyliners per day.
3 x 4 pads = 12
3 x 4 pantyliners = 12

I get my period approximately 13 times per year.
13 x 12 = 156 pads +156 liners per year
If I have my period for 46 years meaning that I start at age 13 d am finished menopause at 60, leaving space for not having my period during two pregnancies and missing some during my transition to crone
44 X 156 = 6 864 pads + 6 864 liners

Bringing the grand total up to 13 728 pads in a lifetime.  HOLY CRAP.

So the waste I was producing was my initial reason for switching to reusable.  Another reason for switching was health.  I found that as I got older, I started to react to the chemicals in the conventional store bought dsposable pads, and that even if I used the eco friendly ones (99% biodegradable but from the UK!) I still reacted.

Although it is less convenient to pack them around and wash them, it is worth it for the added benefits of environmental awareness and health.  It was even more worth the switch was the unexpected experience of how much more in tune with my body I felt.  I realized that being able to throw everything away kept me disconnected from my body and my cycle.  When I started using the Keeper and Lunapads I started to understand how my cycle worked, how often it came and what it looked like when my body was distressed.

If you still aren’t convinced, check out the Lunapads website for their information on health, economy and environmental impacts of using disposable vs. reusable.  What’s your experience?

Justin and I have been using electric toothbrushes for the past 5 or so years.  Both of us felt that the throw away tip was much better than the throw away toothbrush (Fifty million pounds of toothbrushes are tossed into US landfills every year.) and seemed to clean better.  Still, something still didn’t feel quite right.  With a little bit of googling, I found that the Oral B toothbrush handle ($30) is made in Germany, and the replacement heads are made in China ($17.99 for three heads). So, I decided to do some more research on toothbrushes that wouldn’t tax the earth.

There are several “eco” toothbrushes on the market.

1. Recycline Preserve - PROS: Handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups, PBA Free, not tested on animals, toothbrush is entirely recyclable in the community (#5 plastic) or you can send it back to the manufacturer and they will reuse the materials (Postage paid lable included), all Recycline products are made in the USA, packaging is recyclable or you can send it back, read more about their earth efforts. CONS: Handle is not reusable, the send back program isn’t carbon neutral.  Four toothbrush subscription is $11.00 USD plus shipping.
2. Radius Source Toothbrush - PROS: Reusable handle (made of Recycled dollar bills from US Mint or Recycled Flax from Linen construction - 93% Recycled Material, 47% renewable resource), disposable toothbrush head, not tested on animals, recyclable packaging, made in Kutztown, USA - in Pennsylvania’s Hex county.  CONS: Not recyclable or reclaimable, head is disposable, work with firms such as Fisher Price and Dupont to make various toothbrush bits. Toothbrush Handle $6.95 USD and three heads $5.21 USD.
   
3. Radius Original Toothbrush - PROS: Handle (made of 100% renewable resource wood based plastic - 93% grown in a North Carolina sustainable forest), not tested on animals, recycleable packaging, made in Kutztown, USA - in Pennsylvania’s Hex county, Left or Right handed erganomically correct handles. CONS: Not recyclable or reclaimable, entire toothbrush gets thrown away (will decompose eventually), work with firms such as Fisher Price and Dupont to make various toothbrush bits. Three pack of toothbrushes $16.10 USD.
4. Naturborsten Wooden Toothbrush - PROS: Handle made from Sustainable Wood Resources, Company comprised of a small family enterprise, preserved with vegetable oil, minimal biodegradable packaging, Bristles made from natural fibres CONS: Made in Germany, very little information to be found. 1 toothbrush 4.25 British pounds.
5. Ekotek Toothbrush - PROS: Handle made from Cellulose CONS: Throw away head, can’t seem to find where they are manufactured. 1 toothbrush $8.99 USD, three pack heads $8.99 USD.
6. Other companies such as TerraDent, SmileBrite are on the right track but are still using plastic from petrolium, or aren’t recyclable.

The one I am going to buy? Recycline Preserve.  What works for me is that they are recyclable right here in my blue box and made from recycled materials. My wishes?  For them to come up with a replaceable head instead of recycling the whole toothbrush, and for them to be manufactured in Canada.