Conventional sanitary pads are made from over 90% plastic (chemically altered petroleum) from crude oil, including polyethylene, polypropylene and super absorbent polyacrylates. Panty liners are very similar. The average woman will menstruate for approximately 37 ½ years, around 500 times in total, using 12,000 sanitary products. Collectively women use 45 billion sanitary pads every year. Each one of them has to be disposed of somewhere. Our landfills are nearing capacity, incinerating releases a host of poisonous chemicals in the air including Dioxin and flushing them down the toilet contributes to the enormous quantities of plastic trash polluting our oceans, killing bird and marine life and affecting the entire food chain.
The Natracare range of totally chlorine-free, plastic free, disposable feminine hygiene was developed by Susie Hewson more than 20 years ago in response to her concerns for women’s health, our environment and the lack of any natural alternative for women. She created a range of certified organic 100% cotton tampons and organic and natural disposable pads and liners that equal the convenience, sanitation and performance of conventional brands but without the synthetics and toxic chemicals used in conventional production.
The organic and natural materials used in Natracare have provided relief to those women who experienced itching and burning in areas of contact when using some conventional, plastic-filled brands. Contact Dermatitis or Intimate Feminine Irritation is a condition known to gynaecologists and doctors and has been linked to the use of some conventional brands of sanitary pads.
Natracare respects nature and understands that truly sustainable products must be renewable and biodegradable. Therefore we use only GMO-free plant derived materials in our products, making them over 75% renewable and over 90% biodegradable and compostable.