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
đź’°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
đź’ŞMany 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:
- Reduce environmental impact
- Save money
- Protect your health
- 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