Sanitary pads are designed to be flushed down the toilet without clogging. The water in the toilet dissolves the water-dispersible binder in the wrapper portion and breaks the pad structure apart into its fibrous components.
However, some sanitary products do not break down, contributing to sewer blockages and environmental damage. This is why Planera developed sanitary napkins that are completely flushable.
1. Look for a manufacturer with a long history
A flushable sanitary pad is one that can be safely flushed without clogging the toilet or the wastewater pipes it leads to. It is a great way to reduce the amount of period waste that is disposed of each year. In addition, it can help reduce the risk of infections and other health issues associated with menstruation.
Planera’s pads are made of biodegradable plant fibres that have been cushioned to be gentler on the skin. They are also highly absorbent, so blood quickly wicks into the wood pulp core. The pad then absorbs and locks the blood into a gel before it reaches the barrier plastic layer.
Many brands that claim to be flushable actually use conventional, non-biodegradable materials like bleached cotton and plastic liners. They may also contain super-absorbent polymer and wood pulp, but most of them still have some plastic coating. These types of pads will eventually end up in landfills or waterways, where they can cause environmental damage. Instead, look for a brand that uses compostable materials.
2. Check the product’s certifications
Women who use conventional sanitary pads are often faced with the dilemma of what to do with their used pad. In some cases, they may even flush it down the toilet, despite being advised not to. This is largely because it is difficult to separate the layers of the pad, wash and decipher their confusing labels.
Thankfully, there are now flushable sanitary pads that can be thrown away without any hassle. These are a huge step forward for women who want to be environmentally responsible.
One such product is Planera’s all-natural and biodegradable sanitary pads. These are made of cellulose, which means that they break down when they come into contact with water. Moreover, the company’s pads have been tested to ensure that they are flushable. They also meet the international standard of flushability set by NSF. This is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a flushable sanitary pad film supplier. NSF’s Flushable Consumer Products certification program provides third-party verification that a product is safe to be flushed in a sewer system or septic system.
3. Check the packaging
It is important to check the packaging of sanitary pads to ensure they are flushable. This will help to prevent them from clogging the toilet or the sewage pipes that they are flushed into. It is also important to look for a product that is certified by a government-authorised testing facility. It should also be labelled as biodegradable or compostable.
Biodegradable products decompose naturally in the soil and produce compost, while compostable products are broken down by microorganisms in the soil, and do not leave any residues. Moreover, a biodegradable pad should contain at least 90% plant-based materials.
Research has shown that a number of products marketed as ‘biodegradable’ are not truly biodegradable. For example, a biodegradable pad that was collected as macro debris from the intertidal zone adjacent to Mutton Island WWTP contained non-woven PP and PET MP fibres. Similarly, SEM images of cellulose and PET fibres from a commercially available female hygiene product showed similarities to the samples of MP fibres from the sediments.
4. Check the price
Many sanitary pads that are labelled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘organic’ still contain plastic. This is because the top permeable layer, which is normally a non-woven made from bamboo fibres and starch, is laced with barrier plastic for waterproofing. Additionally, super-absorbent polymer and bleached white cotton liners are used. These sanitary napkins end up in landfill sites or get stuck in waterways. Ideally, the napkin should be fully compostable. It should take less than 180 days to decompose in soil, which will produce rich nutrients that will help plants grow. A fully compostable sanitary pad will be labelled ISO 17088:2021 certified by government-authorised testing facilities.
