Reusable Pads Are Changing Lives & Saving Our Planet

Reusable Pads Are Changing Lives & Saving Our Planet

Reusable pads.🗑️ It all started when I asked: “But where do used disposable pads disappear to after they’re thrown away? What happens to them?”

The answer was a rabbit hole that changed everything we thought about menstrual health. Accounting for the average number of years a woman uses disposable pads, each woman will be sending at least 11,000 pads to the landfills. That’s not a typo – eleven thousand. Now multiply that by the billions of women who menstruate globally.🤯

The reality is that there is no “away.” Because these products take hundreds of years to decompose, they are filling our landfills, clogging our oceans, and leaving a depressing legacy for our great-great-grandchildren.

Reusable sanitary pads can change this story.

A Triple Win – Planet, Pocket, and Personal Health

When I first encountered reusable pads at Komani, I was admittedly sceptical. Could a washable pad really match the convenience of their disposable counterparts? The answer, I learned, was a resounding YES – and they offer so much more:

For Our Planet

🌍Unlike disposables, reusable pads don’t contribute to the mounting waste crisis. Each pad lasts for 36 menstrual cycles, replacing hundreds of single-use products that would otherwise end up in our ecosystems.

For Your Wallet

💰The maths is simple but striking. The outlay cost of a pack of Komani reusable pads is higher than buying conventional pad, but the long-term savings are remarkable. While a Komani pack costs roughly the same as four months’ worth of disposables, it provides three years of menstrual freedom. That’s a 90% saving over three years!

For Your Health

💪Many traditional sanitary pads contain toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances that can cause irritation and even cancer. Komani’s reusable pads are made from breathable, natural fabrics that are gentle on your body. No more mysterious ingredients, just pure comfort and peace of mind.

Community Impact

But this story goes beyond individual benefits. In many communities across South Africa, period poverty is silently sabotaging young girls’ futures. Let me share a story that changed my outlook forever.

Last month, I met Sarah*, a bright 15-year-old who missed up to five days of school every month because she couldn’t afford menstrual products. That’s 60 days of education lost each year – simply because of her period. Sarah’s story isn’t unique; it reflects the reality of millions of schoolgirls worldwide. ♀️

This is where Komani’s donation program becomes transformative. When we provide reusable pads to schoolgirls, we’re not just giving them menstrual products – we’re giving them their education back. 🧑‍🎓One pad set can help ensure three years of uninterrupted schooling.

The ripple effect is profound:

  • Girls stay in school, improving their education
  • Better education leads to improved economic prospects
  • Improved prospects benefit entire families and communities
  • Communities with educated women show better health outcomes and economic stability

Small Change, Big Impact

The beauty of this solution lies in its simplicity. By switching to reusable pads, you will:

  1. Reduce environmental impact
  2. Save money
  3. Protect your health
  4. Support a social enterprise that gives back to the community

Moreover, through Komani’s donation program, you can fund pads for schoolgirls in need. It’s a perfect example of how individual choices can create collective impact.

Join the Revolution

The movement toward sustainable menstrual products isn’t just about managing periods differently – it’s about reimagining our relationship with our bodies, our planet, and our community. Every time we choose reusable over disposable, we’re voting for a better future.

 Ready to make the switch? Here’s what you can do:

  • Try reusable pads for yourself
  • Share your experience with others
  • Support Komani’s donation program
  • Spread awareness about period poverty (and Komani’s solution to it)

Together, let’s create a world where no girl misses school because of her period, where our landfills aren’t filled with period waste , and where managing menstruation doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Get in touch with Komani to join us in making this vision a reality.

*Name changed to protect privacy

How Komani is Creating Economic Opportunities

How Komani is Creating Economic Opportunities

“I never thought my story would inspire others,” says Thembi*, her eyes bright with pride as she adjusts her Komani branded T-shirt. “Now I’m not just making a living – I’m changing lives.”

Thembi is one of the success stories emerging from Komani’s innovative approach to tackling period poverty with reusable pads. While many social enterprises focus solely on product distribution, we’ve discovered a powerful truth: the most effective solutions create opportunities, not just outcomes.

Creating Local Champions

In our modest factory, the hum of sewing machines tells a story of transformation. Thirteen local women, who once faced limited prospects, now form the backbone of our production team. But they’re not just employees – they’re pioneers in a growing movement.

“Before Komani, I struggled to provide for my family,” shares one of our top machinists. “Today, I’m in a better financial situation and able to contribute to our family’s livelihood.”

These thirteen positions represent more than just jobs. They’re proof that tackling period poverty can create a ripple effect of economic empowerment. Each salary supports an average of five family members, meaning our small factory directly impacts over 65 lives.

The Komani Business Opportunity

But the real magic happens when we scale beyond our factory walls. We’ve developed a unique business model that turns period poverty into period power through entrepreneurship.

Meet Zinzi*, who started as a Komani distributor last year. “At first, I was nervous talking about menstrual health,” she admits with a laugh. “But Komani’s training gave me the confidence to approach the topic professionally. Now I’m known as the ‘Period Lady’ in my community – and I wear that title with pride!”

Our entrepreneur program provides:

  • Comprehensive product knowledge training
  • Business skills development
  • Marketing support
  • Ongoing mentorship
  • Access to our network of successful distributors

The beauty of this model? It’s infinitely scalable. Each new entrepreneur can build her own sustainable business while advancing our mission of menstrual equity.

Breaking Taboos with Menstrual Hygiene Management Consultants

Perhaps our most transformative initiative is our Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Consultant program. These trained professionals don’t just sell products – they’re changing conversations and challenging stigmas.

“When I first started as an MHM Consultant, I found mothers who wouldn’t discuss periods with their daughters, and girls who thought they were being punished by their bodies,” recalls Puleng*, one of Komani’s consultants. “Now I see those same mothers hosting period parties to celebrate their daughters’ first menstruation. That’s real change!“

Our MHM Consultants receive specialised training in:

  • Menstrual health education
  • Community engagement
  • Public speaking
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Basic counselling skills

They become trusted resources in their communities, bridging the gap between traditional beliefs and modern menstrual health knowledge.

The Multiplier Effect

What makes these initiatives so powerful is their multiplier effect. Each woman we empower becomes a catalyst for change in her community:

  • Production workers become advocates for sustainable menstrual products
  • Entrepreneurs create their own employment while making products more accessible
  •  MHM Consultants transform cultural narratives around menstruation

Consider Sarah*, who started as a distributor and inspired three of her friends to become entrepreneurs. “We’re not just selling pads,” she insists. “We’re selling dignity, education, and opportunity.”

Building a Sustainable Future

At Komani, our approach creates a self-reinforcing cycle of empowerment:

  1. Women gain economic independence through employment or entrepreneurship
  2. They become ambassadors for menstrual health in their communities
  3. More girls stay in school, thanks to access to products and education
  4. These educated girls become the next generation of leaders and change-makers
  5. Communities become more prosperous and equitable

Become a Brand Ambassador

The beauty of Komani’s model is that everyone can participate in creating change:

  • Purchase our products to support local employment
  • Become a distributor and start your own business
  • Train as an MHM Consultant
  •  Partner with us to bring programs to your community
  • Spread the word about our mission

A Vision for Tomorrow

Looking to the future, there are endless possibilities. Every new entrepreneur, every MHM Consultant, every factory worker represents a step toward our vision of a world where periods don’t hold anyone back – economically, educationally, or socially.

“When I see young girls walking confidently to school during their periods, knowing they’re protected and understood, that’s when I know we’re succeeding,” Thembi reflects. “And the best part? We’re just getting started.”

Ready to be part of this transformation? Contact us to learn more about our entrepreneurship opportunities or MHM Consultant training program. Together, we can turn period poverty into period power, one community at a time.

Connect with Komani to find out more today.

*Representative of the women we encounter