By Josh Hughes
This past Thursday, February 22, the AS Environmental Center, the Womxn’s Identity Resource Center, WWU Prevention & Wellness Services and Zero Waste Western put on an event focusing on menstruation products and environmental issues.
Advertised as an event that provided both information about sustainable period products and samples of those products, the evening featured three guest speakers on the topic.
Tracy Dahlstedt-Rienstra, health educator for Prevention & Wellness Services, opened up the event by talking about the general stigmas against conversations around periods. After thanking the Sustainable Action Fund for funding the event and the free menstrual products available to attendees, Dahlstedt-Rienstra asked students some previous notions they’d grown up with about periods. The words “gross,” “unsanitary,”and “dirty” got thrown around very quickly.
“I’d been taught to not be ashamed about my period, but also to not talk about it,” said one student in the audience.
The reception was just what Dahlstedt-Rienstra was expecting, as she next proposed the question of “Can periods be terrific?” She then showed a rather unique “music video” that could be reduced to this: “I like my period, so even if you don’t like yours let me be!”
“Some people who identify as female don’t necessarily have a period,” she continued, emphasizing inclusivity.
All this discussion led to an examination of some alternative menstrual products that considered factors such as cost, comfort, lifestyle and environmental impact. Dahlstedt-Rienstra held up a Diva Cup, a menstrual cup that can be reused and washed extensively. She also showcased reusable pads that, unlike most menstrual products, were more environmentally friendly and cheaper.
Next, Gwen Larned, coordinator of Zero Waste WUU, spoke in depth about some of the environmental concerns involving period products. She presented some depressing facts about the amount of waste generally created by humans. For instance, the average menstruating woman goes through 300 pounds of tampons, pads and applicators in a lifetime. 12 billion tampons are thrown away in the U.S. each year.
She used these grim statistics to open up a conversation about more sustainable alternatives. Diva Cups, for example, can last up to ten years if cleaned properly. Even those that remain uncomfortable with certain products can still use organic products, which, as she went on to talk about, are also safer for human health.
Larned talked about how most tampons have rayon in them, which can leave residue in vaginal walls and lead to serious health issues.
Additionally, most products contain dioxins which can lead to cancer, reproductive problems, and interference with hormones. Organic, reusable options cut out some of these issues that arise with big-brand tampons and pads.
Lastly, Larned talked about the privilege that comes with even having these options. She explained that the Diva Cup donates to organizations that offer healthcare, empowerment, and education to women and children around the world. Additionally, Luna Pad, another brand, donates to a student in Uganda for every pad purchased. Even though some of these options can be more expensive, they also provide other, less fortunate women with some of the same opportunities.
All students that attended the event got one free menstrual product of their choice, including the Diva Cup and Luna Pad.
Finally, Celeste Mergens, founder and CEO of Days For Girls International, gave a talk about the program she started and its global impact.
“Through volunteers, through enterprises, and through public and private partnerships, Days for Girls is working to shift how women and girls see themselves and are seen by their communities” reads the organization’s goal, something that Mergens reiterated throughout her talk.
“Originally it hadn’t occurred to me how many worldwide issues there are on menstrual products,” she continued.
But now she understands quite well, as Days For Girls has reached 121 nations and over 1 million girls in their pursuit to give all womxn the menstrual care they need.
The organization goes to remote, impoverished areas and provides people with reusable and sustainable menstrual products, sex education courses and even self defense classes.
The aim is to get rid of different forms of menstrual stigma and reduce health concerns and issues that occur around the world because of improper access to safe product.
While Mergens didn’t talk much about volunteer opportunities, Days For Girls offers an array of ways to get involved, a list of which can be found online at https://www.daysforgirls.org/get-involved.
After her talk concluded, students had the chance to go to various booths and examine the different types of menstrual products being offered to them as samples.