Everything you wanted to know about zero waste periods, but were afraid to ask.

From zero waste period cups, to period underwear, and beyond, this post shares about some of our favorite zero waste (or at least better for the planet) period care options for both teens and adults.  Jump to our list of better period products, which includes zero waste and organic tampons/pads!

Want to switch to a zero or low-waste period? Here are some brands to look into.

FWIW, there’s a huge world of period product reviews on YouTube, especially from teens directly. Curious about any of these products? Hop on over there to find a great review (some of which are linked below.)

Underwear

• Saalt -- PFAS free, average price $27. Has options for teens and other menstrual products like menstrual cups and discs.
• Thinx — Average price $40, has high absorbency options and styles for teens and non-binary individuals. 
• Knix — Average price $28, has options for teens and non-binary individuals. 
• Sustain — Price $30
• Lunapads — Average price $40, has best options for non-binary individuals.
• Modibody — Average price $25, Australian company, also has teen (with the cutest non-binary-friendly boy shorts of any of the brands!) and swim options.

Cups

• Which menstrual cup is right for me? (Quiz)
• How to pick a cup (video) 
• Cup comparison tool — I’m a fan of the Femmycycle — great for postpartum, has teen and low-cervix options.
• Nixit is more of a disc than a cup, and may be more comfrotable for some users.

Reusable pads

• Lunapads
• Gladrags
• Huggable Earth

Organic disposable brands (tampons + pads)

• Sustain
• Lola (if possible, avoid the plastic applicator)
• Honest
• Natracare
• Yoni (available in the Netherlands)

DIY

Make your own pads — Did you cloth diaper? If your diapers don’t have much life left in them, they can be upcycled to be pads!

PS- I personally found that tampons made my cramps worse. In an effort to get at the root of this, I found this great post on getting rid of period cramps.