4.    The Diva Cup

Tampons and sanitary pads aren’t exactly eco-friendly products. They contain rayon, an absorbent product derived from wood pulp that requires chlorine bleaching, hence producing dioxins which are carcinogenic compounds. They also contain cotton, and conventionally-grown cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops, so using tampons contributes to using chemicals harmful to the environment. Even if you go for unbleached, organic cotton tampons and pads, you should be aware that there is a safer, more eco-conscious and less expensive product within reach: the menstrual (aka 'Diva') cup.

Made of medical-grade silicone, it is used like a tampon, but instead of absorbing, it collects your menstrual flow internally for several hours and is kept in place by your vaginal muscles. If put in correctly, you can’t even feel it. Once the initial cost of about $25 is amortized and with proper care, you can re-use it for up to 10 years. Great savings but also great reduction of packaging. Believe it or not, the menstrual cup was first developed in the US as early as 1932, and was originally made of latex rubber, but it suffered lack of advertising and was overshadowed by heavily-marketed, disposable products. There are two sizes available: Size 1, slightly smaller, is for women under 30 who have never given birth; size 2 is for women over 30 and/or for women who have given birth.  We carry both sizes as well as two different brands in our store: the Moon Cup and the Diva Cup.