Are Period Underwear Eco Friendly? | Top 5 Brands in 2024
As women, we have to worry about how to handle Aunt Flow when she comes to visit every month. That means breaking out the pads, tampons, and other menstrual products to keep us clean and stress-free.
The problem is, all those products are disposable. After just one use, they wind up in a landfill where they take decades to properly break down, if at all. To counteract this problem, many people are turning to period underwear.
Period underwear can be an environmentally friendly solution to our period problems. They certainly offer an alternative to disposal products that contain plastic.
Is Period Underwear Eco-Friendly?
So, is period underwear eco-friendly? The truth is, while it’s eco-friendly to some degree, certain brands are more eco-friendly than others.
In general, period panties are an eco-friendly way to tackle your period because they are reusable. Rather than throwing out period products each day, you can simply put your period panties in the laundry machine so that they’re ready for use in the morning.
Another way that period underwear is eco-friendly is that it can last for years at a time. While menstrual cups sometimes only survive up to six months, period underwear can be used until it’s literally falling apart at the seams.
That helps save on waste and makes for a more reusable product.
What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Period Panties?
As we said before, some period panties are more eco-friendly than others. This is due to the materials used to make the panties themselves.
Brands that use organic products and biodegradable materials such as bamboo and cotton are more likely to be eco-friendly. To help make it easy for you to shop for environmentally friendly period panties, we’ve put together a list of some of the top brands of these eco-friendly period products.
1. Thinx
Thinx is a great pair of period panties that looks and feels just like your regular underwear. Their menstrual underwear hugs the hips in a flattering way and catches your flow so that you don’t have to worry about using tons of tampons or pads.
Thinx panties are made out of a leak-resistant material that is also environmentally friendly. They’re made of cotton, polyester, elastane, nylon, and spandex making them a great choice for environmentally conscious ladies.
2. ModiBodi
Next up on our list of environmentally friendly period panty brands is ModiBodi. ModiBodi makes versatile panties that keep the health of the environment in mind as well as the health of the customer.
Not only are ModiBodi panties made out of recycled materials, but the company also goes above and beyond to limit greenhouse gas emissions in its processes, too. Every aspect of the panties, from the creation to the final product, is made with the environment in mind.
What’s more, these panties are super comfortable and are very absorbent. You can wear these panties knowing you’re staying clean and hygienic and that the planet is too.
For more information, check out our complete ModiBodi review.
3. Cora Period Underwear
Where many period panties begin to become unsustainable is in the materials used to make them. Because so many panties use a wide range of materials, not all the materials will break down at the same rates or even be biodegradable at all.
Cora Period Underwear, however, is a 100% cotton variety. Cotton is made out of a plant, making it an eco-friendly material that will eventually break down. And, the materials are transparently sourced, meaning you know the panties are ethically made.
Even though these panties are made purely out of cotton, they’re still quite an absorbable pair. These panties will hold up to three tampons full of fluid before you need to switch them out for a new one.
4. Goat Union
Goat Union is one of the lesser-known brands of period panties, but it’s still a great choice if you’re wanting an environmentally friendly pair. These panties are made out of 95% bamboo, making them super soft and super good for the environment.
On top of that, Goat Union panties are pretty absorbent. You can count on them to hold up for at least 4 tampons worth of fluid, meaning they’ll do pretty well throughout the entire day.
5. 4Period
Last but not least in our lineup of eco-friendly period panty brands is 4Period. This company’s high absorbency period panties are a great choice for girls who have a heavy flow but still want sustainable period products.
The panties are made out of bamboo materials, which is a biodegradable fabric. And, the panties are super absorbant, holding as much liquid as four super plus tampons can hold!
Better yet, the materials are all non-toxic and are free of PFAs. When you wear these panties, you know that you’re keeping your body free of chemicals and the environment as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about how eco-friendly period panties are? Keep reading to find out the answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions.
Is Thinx environmentally friendly?
Thinx is one of the most popular period underwear brands thanks to its comfortable feel and stylish look. However, they’re also an environmentally friendly brand that does its best to reduce its carbon footprint and use biodegradable and recycled materials.
Can you wear period underwear without a pad?
Many environmentally-conscious girls are concerned that they’ll still need to wear a pad even if they’re wearing period underwear. The good news is that most brands don’t require a pad, but can be worn on their own and will catch your flow.
Is period underwear toxic?
Most period panty brands go out of their way to ensure that there are no toxic chemicals included in their materials. That means that you don’t have to worry about wearing chemicals that could harm your skin or that could damage the environment.
