This isn’t going to be your typical holiday season shopping guide (although gifting some of these sustainable period products isn’t such a bad idea). We’re wrapping up a list of Canadian brands who are making waves in the world of menstrual products and environmental sustainability, bringing quality period products to Canadians who are trying to be kinder to mother earth.
Eco-friendly period products have seen a substantial growth in consumer use in the past few years, with reusable products like period underwear and menstrual cups being a hot topic of conversation (have you ever met a menstrual cup user who doesn’t rave about it? I haven’t), and accessibility and affordability of organic, natural ingredient disposables like tampons and pads being finally at our fingertips. Environmentally friendly period products are available to us like never before, and better yet, we have some incredible companies making these products right here at home. So, without further adieu, here is your quick go-to shopping list of Canadian-based sustainable period products;
Some folks don’t find reusable products to be a good fit, but still want to be mindful of their consumer waste when shopping for disposable products like tampons. Well, Marlow’s got you covered. They make certified 100% organic cotton tampons, free of fragrance, dyes, synthetic fibres, and chlorine bleaching. Their tampons are in a plant based applicatorwith a compostable wrapper, and shipped to your door in recyclable packaging - Marlow has prioritized sustainability and quality every step of the way, making it an easy switch from traditional drug-store disposables to this subscription-based, feel good brand.
Only’s Eco-Pads are made with organic, biodegradable and compostable materials, meaning you can be a disposable period-product lover and make peace with your environmental activist self at the same time. Wrapped up in a compostable wrapper, these Eco-Pads come in daytime or overnight options, hold secure to your undies with adhesive wings, and are good for the planet.
The Nixit menstrual cup is a proud Canadian innovation, taking the ever-popular product of reusable menstrual cups and innovating it into a re-shaped, easy to use, one-size-fits-all tiny piece of silicone magic. Menstrual cups are a popular form of reusable period products, with one cup replacing years of overflowing bins of disposable products heading to the landfills. You buy this product once and can use it every day and every night of your cycle, and then again the next month… and the next… and the next… you get the point. It’s comfy, sanitary, easy to clean, and easy on the earth. And it comes in pretty colours, which helps.
Made from organic and recycled materials, these period underwear act as a replacement for traditional pads while also providing an extra layer of comfort to your period experience. Available in a diverse range of styles and colours to suit your preferences, this underwear is yet another creatively innovative way to replace your single-use period products with something more sustainable (and cute).
With 14 years in the business, Tree Hugger Cloth Pads have been a staple in Canada’s sustainable period product experience, continuing their long-standing success with their perfected (and eco-friendly) products. Offering a variety of sizes and styles to suit different body types, menstrual flows, and preferences, these pads can be washed and reused, and offer a travel-friendly solution to pad users who still want sustainability.
We have the incredible privilege of being able to access these products at our doorstep and support businesses working towards a better world - both for people with periods and for the planet. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, looking to try new things, or just in the research phase of your eco-friendly period product journey, you’re starting somewhere, and we’d call that a win.