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Email ThisSeptember 3, 2009: Environment, September-October 2009
Is the DivaCup reusable menstrual cup as green as it claims?
Are reusable menstrual cups really better for the environment than tampons and pads?
The Claim
DivaCup is a reusable, silicone menstrual cup that claims to be an “environmentally responsible” product that is the “most clean and convenient method of feminine hygiene protection.” But how green can the manmade silicone product be?
The Investigation
DivaCup, like other brands of reusable menstrual cups, works by collecting menstrual flow in a small, internally placed cup. This cup is emptied and washed out throughout a woman’s cycle, then sterilized by boiling and put away for next month. According to the makers of DivaCup, which is the only Health Canada approved reusable menstrual cup, one cup will last a woman an entire year (and some users say a cup can be used for much longer), and that, they argue, is one reason why this product is so environmentally friendly.
The company’s clearly onto something. Each year, 12 billion conventional pads and 7 million tampons, made out of plastics, rayon, viscose, and cotton, are dumped into the North American environment. These products have been bleached with chlorine, which releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment, and most use non-organic cotton, which has been saturated in pesticides and insecticides. Cotton is also considered to be the world’s “thirstiest crop,” requiring six pints of water to grow just one little bud.
While DivaCup is made from silicone, the same synthetic substance found in everything from cosmetics to cars, silicone looks pretty green compared to what goes into conventional menstrual products.
Dr. Michael Brook, a silicone expert at McMaster University, says that because silicone is derived from silica, a type of sand, it will slowly degrade back to that material. “The safety record of silicones is exemplary, and unlike many materials used in commerce, there is a lot of data available to permit such a statement to be made.”
The Verdict:
There’s no “greenwashing” going on here; DivaCup lives up to its claims and truly is a green alternative to conventional feminine hygiene products. While there might be an initial yuck factor, for most women, a reusable menstrual cup is an environmentally and economically healthy choice when dealing with their once-a-month friend.
greeninthebay on Thu, 3rd Sep 2009 8:42 pm
one cup will last A LOT longer than one year. Ive had mine for at least 3, and no signs of it breaking down at this point. Granted that now Im pregnant and not using it, and after the baby is born i will have to buy a larger one, but even two cups per lifetime isnt that bad, and (sorry for those who are squeemish) i actually just gave my old cup to a close friend of mine who lost hers. all in all, i agree, no greenwashing here!
Is the DivaCup reusable menstrual cup as green as it claims? : This Magazine // Canadian progressive politics, arts, culture, and ideas since 1966 « Khalid’s News Hole on Thu, 3rd Sep 2009 7:32 pm
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Guest on Wed, 16th Sep 2009 4:47 pm
It is entirely green! I had originally thought I would need to use a cloth pad as a back-up for leaks, but there are NO leaks whatsoever. This product is completely amazing and very welcome. I will never use anything else!!!
Stumbleina on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:28 pm
This is an excellent product! I just bought my second cup after using it for a year and a half now. No leaks even with the most rigorous movements. Also proudly made in Canada. Can't get better than that!
flutterby8i8 on Wed, 3rd Mar 2010 7:42 pm
I'm a Diva cup user and will NEVER go back to disposable pads and tampons. When I think of the number of disposable products I used over the years, I can only imagine the impact that millions of users combined have on our environment. I don't think there is anything wrong with picking up an emergency disposable when you have an early start, but if everyone cut down to using disposables ONLY in case of emergencies, think of the positive impact that would cause on our future landfill usage!
kikiborges on Sat, 26th Jun 2010 4:24 am
Definitely lasts much longer than a year. I would never go back to tampons. They feel like they're sucking you dry.