Low impact periods

Periods are a tedious fact of life for many of us, so at this point in our menstrual careers we know what works best for our bodies when it comes to menstrual products – which brands, which absorbencies and which styles. As such, the same products are chucked in the trolley month after month with as much enthusiasm as washing-up liquid or milk. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – so why bother switching things up now?

The planet, however, would disagree. Menstrual hygiene products are designed to be small and discreet, but the impact they have on the environment is huge. For a start, tampons and towels are full of plastic. Some packs of towels are up to 90 per cent plastic –