Toward eco-friendly menstrual products: a comparative life cycle assessment of sanitary pads made from bamboo pulp vs. a conventional one

Abstract

The predominant menstrual products utilized by women are sanitary pads. The majority of disposable sanitary pads are comprised of plastics and bleached wood pulp, often accounting for as much as 90% of their composition by weight. Nevertheless, the overall environmental footprint of production to disposal of disposable sanitary pads is often overlooked due to the cultural stigma associated with menstruation and the lack of chemical information. This study aims to evaluate the potential environmental impact of the life cycle of sanitary pads and provide insights for decision-making and driving improvements in product design and production processes. It is important to note that this study does not aim to assess the health and safety of the products for consumer use. A case study was conducted at Hempur in Stockholm, Sweden, to assess the environmental impacts of a disposable pad made from bamboo pulp and polylactic plastic. The study applied life cycle assessment to compare the life cycle of Hempur disposable sanitary pads with conventional ones made of polymers and bleached wood pulp. The research findings reveal that Hempur sanitary pads made from plant-based materials have lower adverse environmental impacts than the conventional ones considered in the study. The upstream operations of Hempur sanitary pads were identified as the least environmentally friendly phase of the product due to the use of unbleached wood pulp and polylactic plastic, which together account for between 40 and 80% in every impact category, most notably water scarcity and abiotic element depletion. Hempur can improve its environmental performance by switching from coal to hydropower for electricity generation in bamboo pulp manufacturing, leading to a decrease in global warming and acidification. Finally, we recommend alternatives for PLA, and the use of bamboo in the core part of the Hempur sanitary pad should be considered and assessed.

Graphical Abstract