When we think of feminine hygiene products, our thoughts rarely go past issues of which brand to buy -- perhaps we look for fun packaging, comfort, or which might be the safest for health. While those are all relevant thoughts regarding that time of the month in North America, LunaPads wants women to extend their thinking to the global environment and other females in the majority world.
Perhaps you've heard of their diva cup or eco pads: the're cost-effective, eco-friendly and physically practical. But did you know that if North American women switched to recyclable products like these that there would be 20 billion less feminine hygiene products in our landfills each year?
On top of economic and environmental benefits, the Vancouver-based business gives women and girls in developing countries access to their products through Pads4Girls so they won't fall behind during the 12 weeks a year they're menstruating.
"Lunapads has provided over 2,000 girls and women in 15 nations with thousands of menstrual pads or underwear, giving them an immediate, essential and sustainable means to remain in school or at work," the website says. "In 2012 we plan to further develop and refine our Pads4Girls program that will include formalizing a commitment to donate a certain percentage of sales or profits" for Pads4Girls.
Contact Information
LunaPads website
Pads4Girls on Twitter
LunaPads on Facebook
LunaPads on Google+
LunaPads on YouTube
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Recyclable Feminine Hygiene Products
- Opportunity to develop and market cost-effective, eco-friendly menstrual products that reduce waste in landfills.
- Menstrual Products for Developing Countries
- Opportunity to create and distribute affordable menstrual products to girls and women in developing countries, enabling them to stay in school and work.
- Socially Responsible Business Practices
- Opportunity to integrate social impact initiatives, such as donating a percentage of sales or profits, into business models to support disadvantaged communities.
Where This Applies
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Disruptive innovation opportunity to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional feminine hygiene products.
- International Aid and Development
- Opportunity to support the education and empowerment of girls and women in developing countries through the provision of menstrual products.
- Social Enterprise
- Opportunity to combine business practices with social impact initiatives to create sustainable solutions for global challenges.
