The inevitable monthly red tide is a natural part of life, but do you know what isn’t?
Plastic!
It’s time to talk about the impact of single-use plastic in period products and the best plastic-free tampons, pads, and panties that make zero waste periods possible.
Our Picks For The Best Zero Waste Period Products
Modibodi offers complete pad and tampon replacements in the form of reusable period panties. They’re absorbent, PFAS-free and all-day-long comfortable.
Elevate your eco-friendly period products with Saalt’s range of non-toxic menstrual cups and discs. First-timers can take a quiz to find the right one.
Not ready to give up tampons?
Dame makes plastic-free tampons from organic cotton, and they’ve revolutionized the reusable tampon applicator.
Did you know the average woman uses 11,000 tampons in her lifetime?
Together with pads and panty liners, they make up 200,000 tons of plastic waste a year.
It’s a bloody mess.
The good news is there’s been a crimson flood of new eco-friendly period products that use much less or zero plastic without sacrificing any of the comfort or security we need.
Free from bleaches, PFAS chemicals, and toxic dyes, these non-toxic period products are much healthier. They may even alleviate cramps and shorten your period.
Whatever your flow style, there’s an eco-friendly period product for you.
Our Curated List of Plastic-Free Tampons, Pads, & Period Panties Putting For A Low-Impact Flow
1. WUKA
Price Range | $25–$37 | Shop WUKA
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL™ modal, recycled nylon, polyester, elastane, and breathable TPU leak proof lining. All PFAS-free.
What We Love | UK-based brand WUKA empowers you to ‘Wake Up, Kick Ass’ with their range of zero waste, consciously comfy period panties.
WUKA’s Zero Waste Period Products
WUKA offers period-proof and leak proof underwear for adults, teens, girls, and anyone who menstruates.
You’ll find panties in all shapes and styles, including boxers, briefs, hipsters, and thongs, and in four absorbency levels from Light to Super Heavy.
They also offer collections for menopause, maternity, and postpartum, period-proof swimwear, leggings, shorts, and accessories like a wearable hot water bottle.
We love their bestselling Ultimate™ Midi Brief – Heavy Flow that can hold up to 20 ml (three pads or four tampons worth) of period blood, saving up to 200 disposable period products in their lifetime.
WUKA’s Sustainability
Certifications | B Corp, Carbon Neutral, GOTS, BCI, The Vegan Society, PETA, OEKO-TEX, ISO, BSCI, FDA.
Carbon | Wuka period panties have a carbon footprint four times less than tampons and six times smaller than pads. The Carbon Neutral certified brand offsets its emissions by supporting tree planting and biogas projects.
Sourcing & Supply Chain | WUKA’s period panties are made by a female-owned factory in Shenzhen, China, which is ISO, BSCI, and FDA certified.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Founded by Nepalese-born Environmental Scientist Ruby Raut, Wuka fights for period equality and has an inclusive period panty range.
Thoughtful Packaging | Each pair of period panties is packaged in a compostable cornstarch bag.
Pay It Forward | Wuka’s core mission is to help end period poverty. They donate period pants and money to initiatives such as The Wave Project, Choose Love, and Surfers Against Sewage.
2. Daye
Price Range | £5–£17 | Shop Daye
Materials | Organic cotton, biodegradable sugarcane bioplastic applicators, and flushable wrappers made from water-soluble wood pulp.
What We Love | Dayes 100% organic cotton tampons are designed to help alleviate period cramps. They offer a world-first virtual period pain clinic, and their Vitals Blog provides tons of information on gynecological health.
Daye’s Plastic-Free Tampons
Suffer from cramps and period pain?
Daye takes plastic-free period products to the next level with organic cotton and CBD-coated tampons that are clean, safe, highly absorbent, and made with a “protective sleeve” to prevent shedding.
CBD oil is packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and research suggests it may help alleviate pain and anxiety. Daye’s is lab-tested, medical-grade, and THC-free.
The zero waste tampons come in packs of 12-18 in regular and super sizes. Choose between CBD and Nude (CBD-free), or opt for a mix of both.
Daye’s other pioneering products include at-home tampon screening kits (Microbiome and STI), probiotics, CBD balm, and compostable bamboo pads.
Daye’s Sustainability
Certifications | B Corp, Carbon Neutral
Carbon | Carbon Neutral-certified Daye partners with Pachama to offset its footprint by combating deforestation.
Sourcing & Supply Chain | The tampons are ethically produced in the UK and Bulgaria. Daye partners with Working Chance to employ women from the criminal and care systems.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Daye supports gynecological health and wellbeing for all through education, transparency, and accessible clinics.
Thoughtful Packaging | Tampons come in a box or mailer made from recycled and recyclable paper printed with bio-based inks. The tampons themselves are home compostable, but just be careful to ensure your bin gets hot enough to properly kill any bacteria present in the blood.
3. TOTM
Price Range | £2.50–£17 | Shop TOTM
Materials | 100% GOTS and ICEA-certified organic cotton, biodegradable cardboard applicators, corn-derived wrappers, and certified compostable waterproof backing (pads). Menstrual cups are made from medical-grade TPE.
What We Love | TOTM (Time Of The Month) helps you kick plastic out of period care with taboo-busting, tree-planting, comfy products that take us from “less to zero waste.”
TOTM’s Plastic-Free Tampons
UK-based TOTM makes organic and plastic-free period care accessible to all. They’re available online, in brick-and-mortar supermarkets, and for free via their Period Positive Workplace Scheme.
Start with less waste plastic-free pads and tampons, or go zero waste with a Menstrual Cup available in three sizes.
The applicator and non-applicator tampons feature soft yet absorbent organic cotton that gently expands when used with an outer ”veil” to prevent fiber shedding. They’re available in boxes of ten and four absorbencies from Light to Super Plus.
TOTM’s Sustainability
Certifications | B Corp, Climate Neutral, The Vegan Society, PETA, GOTS, ICEA
Carbon | TOTM’s period products are made using renewable energy. They work with ClimatePartner to offset 100% of their business activity and organic cotton product emissions.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Universities and workplaces across the UK can take part in their Period Positive Workplace Scheme so everyone can access sustainable period products for free.
Pay It Forward | TOTM donates 1% of online sales to Endometriosis UK, partners with Plastic Bank to help remove ocean plastic, and supports In Kind Direct with the gift-a-pad program.
4. Modibodi
Price Range | $20–$56 | Shop Modibodi
Materials | FSC-certified bamboo lyocell, Australian non-mulesed merino wool, GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled nylon, elastane, and polyester. All fabrics are OEKO-TEX-certified and PFAS-free.
What We Love | Whether it’s the first wash or the 100th, Modibodi’s insanely comfortable period underwear ensures the same high quality—and we should know since we’ve been using ours for over two years.
Modibodi’s Zero Waste Pad Alternatives
Modibodi makes period underwear, swimwear, and activewear for everyone, including a maternity and teen range.
They use merino wool and microfiber combined with a breathable waterproof layer to create an absorbent, moisture-wicking, leakproof gusset that’s only 3mm thick.
If you prefer to avoid wool, their Vegan Collection uses a synthetic polybrush for the gusset instead.
First periods can be an unsettling time. We love that Modibodi makes the journey as smooth as possible with their Teen First Period Kit.
Inside the cheerfully illustrated cardboard box is a pair of Moderate-Heavy period underwear, a mirror, a waterproof changing bag, and an educational comic strip about changing bodies.
Modibodi’s Sustainability
Certifications | FSC, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, SMETA,
Sourcing & Supply Chain | Modibodi works closely with three third-party SMETA-audited facilities in China. All suppliers must agree to their Code of Conduct, based on ILO core standards.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | The female-founded brand promotes inclusivity through its product range, diverse modeling, and collabs with Indigenous designers.
Thoughtful Packaging | You’ll find FSC-certified sleeves and boxes made from at least 75% recycled paper. Orders ship in compostable mailers from Grounded Packaging.
Pay It Forward | Modibodi donates period underwear to those who need it most. Charity partners include The Good Box, Katalyst Foundation, and Plan International.
5. The Period Company
Price Range | $9–$32 | Shop The Period Company
Materials | 95% organic cotton, 5% spandex, and a 100% polyester absorbent layer with a PUL core.
What We Love | For affordable and inclusive period underwear and zero waste period pads, The Period Company has you covered. We’re impressed with their inclusive sizing that runs from XS-6X.
The Period Company’s Zero Waste Pads & Period Underwear
You’ll find PFAS-free period underwear in a range of styles (boxers, bikinis, high-waisted panties, sleep shorts, and thongs) and in absorbency levels ranging from two to ten tampons.
They also offer period-proof bikini briefs for swimming.
If panties aren’t for you, The Period Company offers some of the best pads for periods.
Available in packs of five, The Reusable Pad is made from 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex with a polyester core. They fasten securely to your regular or period underwear with a snapper closure and can hold eight to ten tampons worth of blood.
The Period Company’s Sustainability
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | They offer inclusive sizing, gender-inclusive styles, and affordable price points.
Pay It Forward | The Period Company donates period underwear to various non-profits, including One Love Community Fridge and The Pad Project.
6. Saalt
Price Range | $5–$132 | Shop Saalt
Materials | TENCEL™ modal, polyamide/ recycled LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™, recycled polyester/elastane, or OEKO-TEX-certified cotton/5% elastane—all PFAS-free. Gussets are 100% polyester with a 92% recycled polyester/8% elastane/polyurethane lining. Cups and discs are medical-grade BPA-free silicone.
What We Love | Certified B Corp Saalt simplifies periods with plastic-free menstrual cups and underwear. Products are comfortable, convenient, and help fight period poverty.
Saalt’s Zero Waste Period Underwear & Cups
Saalt’s period products not only prevent millions of disposables from going to landfill, they turn plastic waste into products, too.
Designed in Paris, their Lace & Mesh Collection features LYCRA made from post-consumer recycled water bottles.
Their underwear is subtle and lightweight with a gusset so thin you might mistake it for regular underwear if it wasn’t for its high absorbency.
Saalt also offers menstrual cups and discs—AKA the only truly zero waste tampons out there.
Made from medical-grade silicone, the Saalt Cup comes in three sizes (Teen, Small, and Regular). Take their Cup & Disc Quiz to find your right size.
Saalt’s Sustainability
Certifications | B Corp, SA8000, Plastic Negative (rePurpose Global)
Sourcing & Supply Chain | Saalt’s SA8000-certified suppliers must adhere to their Code of Conduct, which requires a safe and healthy workplace and fair wages.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | The female-founded business tackles period poverty across the globe. They have an inclusive size range and beginner-friendly resources to help you decide which product is right for you.
Pay It Forward | Saalt commits 2% of revenue to donate period care products to communities around the world. They also work with environmental initiatives like Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.
7. Dame
Price Range | $9–$58 | Shop Dame
Materials | Medical-grade Mediprene® and polypropylene applicator, GOTS-certified organic cotton tampons and reusable pads, medical-grade TPE cups, organic cotton, cotton, spandex, and polyester period pants.
What We Love | Dame is an award-winning brand pioneering healthier and more sustainable period products. They’ve made the world’s first reusable tampon applicator and a self-cleaning menstrual cup.
Dame’s Plastic-Free Tampons
From menstrual cups to underwear, Dame has your down-under needs covered.
If you’re not ready to say goodbye to tampons, their 100% Organic Cotton Tampons are hypoallergenic, toxin-free, and less irritating to your body than conventional versions.
While these organic plastic-free tampons don’t have individual applicators, you can pair them with the world’s first Reusable Tampon Applicator.
Made of medical grade, BPA-free Mediprene® and polypropylene, it’s resistant to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria thanks to built-in Saniconcentrates™.
Dame’s Sustainability
Certifications | B Corp
Carbon | They’ve measured the carbon footprint of each step in their products’ life cycles to improve their overall emissions.
Sourcing & Supply Chain | From fiber sourcing to manufacturing, each supplier is screened by Dame for their environmental and social standards.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | The female co-founded company has an over 80% female design team. They empower teenage girls to become innovators and entrepreneurs through the DAMEchangers program, and a Youth Board helps guide the company.
Pay It Forward | Dame donates products to various initiatives, including WEN’s Environmenstrual Ambassador program and Rethink Periods.
8. Cora
Price Range | $6–$46 | Shop Cora
Materials | Tampons are made from GOTS and ICEA-certified organic cotton. Pads feature chlorine-free wood pulp, organic cotton, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, and thermoplastic polymer. Cups and discs are medical-grade silicone. All products are free from chlorine, pesticides, dioxins, and fragrances.
What We Love | From their “Comfort Fit Tampon” to their “Peace Of Mind Pad”, Cora aims to support everyone’s wellbeing during their monthly flow.
Cora’s Plastic-Free Tampons, Pads and Reusables
Cora offers the full spectrum of period essentials: panty liners, pads, tampons, discs, cups, and period underwear.
The mostly plastic-free menstrual pads and liners contain a small amount of plastic for the inner leakproof layers, while the non-applicator tampons are plastic-free.
The applicator tampons feature a 92% plant-based sugarcane bioplastic applicator.
The Comfort Fit Tampon is available in boxes of 16, 32, 48, or 64 in Light, Regular, Super, and Super Plus absorbencies. You can also purchase a mix of absorbency styles to suit your flow.
As for reusables, Cora’s Perfect Fit Disc gives you that “barely-there feeling,” while The Easy-Does-It Cup has been rated one of the best for beginners.
Cora’s Sustainability
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Cora has detailed and beginner-friendly resources on body literacy. They use diverse models to show a range of body types and have an inclusive size range.
Pay It Forward | For every period product sold, Cora donates period essentials and body literacy resources to people in India, Kenya, and the US. 75% of their domestic giving goes to BIPOC communities.
9. Natracare
Price Range | £2–£5 | Shop Natracare
Materials | GOTS and Soil Association-certified 100% organic cotton, PEFC-certified sustainable wood pulp, and certified biopolymer made from GMO-free plant starch—all chlorine-free.
What We Love | A sustainable period care hero since the 80s, Natracare was the world’s first creator of the organic tampon. Together with their plastic-free organic cotton pads and plastic-free panty liners, everything is made without petroleum-based plastic, dyes, or perfumes making them safe for sensitive skin.
Natracare’s Plastic-Free Sanitary Pads, UK
An OG of the sustainable menstrual scene, Natracare offers an extensive selection of plastic-free pads, organic tampons, panty liners, and wipes for periods, postpartum, maternity, and incontinence.
The plastic-free period pads range from regular flow to heavy and nighttime maxi pads and come with or without wings.
They’re commercially compostable to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 standards, and Natracare provides tips for home composting.
Natracare’s Sustainability
Certifications | Ecocert IMO, FSC, PEFC, GOTS, ICEA, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, MADE SAFE, The Soil Association, USDA Biobased, Vegan Society
Sourcing & Supply Chain | Natracare’s GOTS-certified cotton is processed in Turkey. They monitor and maintain human rights standards across their supply chain.
Thoughtful Packaging | Packaging is plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable down to the silicone-coated paper peel strip on the pads. The maxi pads come in compostable bioplastic bags.
Pay It Forward | A 1% for the Planet member, Natracare donates to environmental organizations, including the Marine Conservation Society and The Plastic Pollution Coalition.
How We Chose The Best Plastic-Free Tampons & Zero Waste Period Products
How do we know which plastic-free tampon brands are sustainable?
We’ve created a set of criteria to help us separate those brands pulling strings to make a positive impact from those that aren’t.
Certifications:
B Corporation (B Corp), Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Carbon Neutral, Climate Neutral, Ecocert, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ICEA, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, MADE SAFE, OEKO-TEX, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), rePurpose Global, The Soil Association, USDA Biobased, Vegan Society
Fabrics & Materials:
The key requirement for us is that disposable period products are, at a minimum, plastic-free and ideally home compostable—like those made of organic cotton.
Plastic-free reusable period products like cups, discs, and period underwear are the best option.
Most period panties on the market include small amounts of polyester, but what separates sustainable brands is their use of recycled synthetic materials.
No matter the material, it should be non-toxic and free of PFAS, chlorine, bleach, and synthetic dyes.
Carbon Goals & Achievements:
Period care brands should take active measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
This can look like carbon offsetting, adopting renewable energy, and improving carbon efficiency at each stage of their products’ life cycles.
Sourcing & Supply Chain:
We prioritize transparent companies that carry out independent audits to guarantee fair wages and safe working environments.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Everyone’s monthly cycle looks different, and we like to see brands reflect that in their messaging, marketing, and size range.
We love brands fighting to end period poverty and busting taboos about our bodies.
Thoughtful Packaging:
The best plastic wrap-free menstrual pads and tampons come in compostable wrappers.
Some brands have created water-soluble wrappers, others use reusable tins or organic cotton storage bags.
Outer packaging and shipping materials should be plastic-free, recyclable, and/or compostable.
Pay It Forward:
It’s heartening to see these plastic-free period brands helping to end period poverty by donating products to those who need them most.
Closing Thoughts On Low Waste Period Products
2.4 million tampons are flushed down toilets in the UK daily.
Along with pads, they block sewers, end up in the ocean, and get washed up along our coastlines.
Both conventional pads and tampons are riddled with single-use plastic. Some pads contain up to four plastic bags’ worth of plastic and take 500 years to decompose.
Thanks to these sustainable period care brands, it’s much easier to pass on plastic, whatever your preferred period protection style.
Pass this list to a friend or family member and help more people feel empowered about their plastic-free period.
