"The waste hierarchy is a set of priorities for the efficient use of resources." That is how the NSW EPA introduces the order it works to: avoid and reduce; reuse; recycle; recover energy; treat; and, at the very bottom, dispose of waste.
Read it with your period in mind and it becomes a handy plan for anyone wanting to reduce their period waste. Avoid single-use where you can, reuse what lasts, and treat the bin as the last stop rather than the first.
Quick answer: The most effective way to reduce period waste is to avoid single-use products by switching to reusables. Jean Hailes says menstrual cups are reusable and more environmentally friendly than other products, and reusable pads, period underwear and discs can be reused many times. Care for them so they last, and bin any disposables, never flush them.
What is sustainable menstruation, in plain terms?
In plain terms, sustainable menstruation means having a period without creating more rubbish than you need to. Mapped onto the NSW EPA order, it looks like this:
- Avoid and reduce: buy fewer single-use products by choosing ones you can wash.
- Reuse: the NSW EPA describes re-use as using materials again without further processing, which is exactly what a period cup does each cycle.
- Recycle: cardboard boxes and packaging your council accepts.
- Dispose: used pads and tampons, which go in the general rubbish.
Which reusable period products are there?
There are four main reusable types, and Jean Hailes for Women's Health explains each:
- Period cups: made from rubber or silicone and washed in soapy water every 8 to 12 hours, depending on the brand, or when full.
- Reusable pads: usually absorbent cotton or bamboo with a waterproof lining, washable by hand or in the washing machine.
- Period underwear: washable and reusable, with a recommended change every 12 hours.
- Menstrual discs: listed with the reusable options that can be used many times.
Jean Hailes also points out that reusables like cups and period underwear cost more up front but may save money over the long term. For the Lunette period cup, the wear time is up to 8 hours.
How do I look after a period cup so it lasts?
A consistent cleaning routine is what gives a cup its long life: a Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years with proper care. Lunette's care steps:
- Before first use, wash your hands, check the air holes are open and wash the cup.
- Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle.
- Whenever you empty it, rinse in cold water, then wash with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap.
- Out and about with no tap? Use a Lunette Cup Wipe, then wash the cup under running water at home.
- Air-dry it and store it in its breathable linen pouch.
Keep oily, coloured or fragranced products away from the silicone, as Lunette notes they can leave residue and irritate the vagina.
Where should used pads and tampons go?
Into a rubbish bin or sanitary bin, never the toilet. Jean Hailes is clear that pads and tampons shouldn't be flushed. Our article on what happens to period product waste follows them after they leave the bathroom.
Frequently asked questions
Are reusable period products worth the upfront cost?
They can be. Jean Hailes notes that cups and period underwear cost more at the start but may save money in the long run, since you aren't restocking disposables every cycle. A Lunette period cup lasts up to 10 years with proper care, and Lunette offers a refund or the other size if it doesn't work after a fair try.
How often should I empty and wash a period cup?
Empty and wash the Lunette period cup at least every 8 hours, which is its maximum wear time, or sooner when it's full. Jean Hailes gives a general range of every 8 to 12 hours depending on the brand, so always go by your own cup's instructions.
Can I put reusable pads in the washing machine?
Yes. According to Jean Hailes, reusable pads can be washed by hand with soap and water or in the washing machine. Check the maker's care label for temperature and drying advice so the waterproof lining keeps working for as long as possible.
Is Lunette Cup Wash a low-waste choice?
Lunette Cup Wash comes in a recyclable tube and packaging, and the 100 ml gel is vegan and pH balanced. It's made for washing period cups only, not intimate areas, and it needs water. For days away from a tap, Lunette Cup Wipes clean the cup until you're home.
Ready to bin fewer pads and tampons? The Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and lasts up to 10 years with proper care. See our period cup cleaning guide for the full routine, and pair it with Lunette Cup Wash.
We've written this as general information rather than medical advice. For personal questions about your periods, talk to your GP, nurse or a women's health clinic.
