Climate Impact of Period Waste We Can No Longer Ignore

Disposable pads and tampons are used every day by millions of people. Most users do not see what happens after throwing them away. The truth is uncomfortable. Period waste has a serious effect on the climate and the environment. Understanding the climate impact of period waste is the first step toward change.

The Climate Impact of Period Waste: A Global Waste Problem We Rarely See

Imagine 200 billion period products thrown away every single year. That is the global reality. These items are used once and then discarded. In the United States alone, around 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are thrown away each year. Most of them end up in landfills. Many people never think about where they go, but the waste stays with us for generations.

Pads and tampons are not made only from cotton. Up to 90 percent of their weight is plastic. This plastic does not break down easily. It can take between 500 and 800 years to decompose. During this time, it releases methane and microplastics into the environment. These substances harm soil, water, and air.

Read Also: Biodegradable Pad Decomposition And The Fate Of Waste

Carbon Footprint of Disposable Period Products

The climate impact of period waste is not only about trash. It is also about carbon emissions. Making and throwing away disposable pads and tampons creates greenhouse gases. A single person using disposable products for one year produces about 8.9 kilograms of CO2 emissions. This is similar to charging a mobile phone around 1,000 times.

Over a lifetime, the numbers grow much larger. Using disposable period products for about 40 years can create around 360 kilograms of CO2 per person. This comes from raw material production, manufacturing, packaging, transport, and disposal. Non-organic disposable pads are especially harmful. Their production relies heavily on polyethylene, which has a high global warming potential.

Why Manufacturing Matters to Tackle the Climate Impact of Period Waste

The production stage plays a major role in emissions. Disposable pads score the worst across many environmental impact categories. They require plastic, cotton, and wood pulp. These materials take energy and water to produce. The result is a high carbon footprint even before the product is used.

When these items are thrown away, the impact continues. Landfills trap waste for centuries. As products break down slowly, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This makes disposable period products a hidden but serious contributor to climate change.

Read Also: How Choosing Organic Period Products Supports Women-Owned Brands

Waste That Does Not Go Away

In many regions, most pads and tampons are not recycled. In Europe and the United States, more than 80 percent end up in landfills. In India, 12.3 billion pads create about 113,000 tonnes of landfill waste every year. Most of this waste is plastic based and non biodegradable.

Some products are flushed instead of thrown away. This causes another problem. Improper disposal sends plastic fibers into rivers and oceans. Over time, these fibers become microplastics. They harm marine life and enter the food chain. This pollution is hard to clean and nearly impossible to reverse.

The Bigger Picture for the Planet

When we look at the climate impact of period waste, the scale becomes clear. Billions of products. Hundreds of years of decomposition. Kilograms of carbon per person. These numbers show why disposable period products are not a small issue. They are part of a much larger environmental challenge.

Reusable options have far lower impacts, with up to 99 percent less environmental damage over time. This comparison highlights how heavy the carbon toll of disposables really is. While not everyone can switch easily, awareness still matters. Knowing the cost helps people make better choices when possible.

Making Better Choices Starts with Awareness

The impact affects everyone, even those who never think about it. Every pad or tampon used today leaves a mark on the future. Choosing better products can reduce waste and emissions over time.

If you want to take a step toward change, visit Fizabelle’s website and explore our pad offers. Making informed choices can help lower the climate impact of period waste and support a cleaner future for all.