There are currently several washable and reusable menstrual hygiene products available in Sri Lanka.
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Reusable Cloth Sanitary Napkin
This period product prioritizes hygiene and comfort and can be attached to underwear and changed every 4-6 hours based on period blood flow. These napkins can be washed and used repeatedly for about 18 months.
Usually, the surface layer of these napkins is made of cotton fabric. The middle layer is made of absorbent cotton or polyester, and the bottom layer is made of waterproof umbrella fabric or polyester blend fabrics to ensure no leakage.
2. Period Panties
Period panties manufactured in Sri Lanka include a sanitary napkin within the pair of female underwear that can be worn easily [changed every 4-6 hours based on period blood flow] and is similarly washable. Those who use this type of underwear during menstruation do not need to purchase a sanitary napkin separately. Period panties also have a life-cycle of approximately 18 months.
3. Cotton Fabric
This simple practice is still utilised in Sri Lanka, and involves the use of a clean piece of cloth, folded several times and placed in a pair of underwear much like the reusable cloth sanitary napkin, to absorb menstrual blood.
It is imperative to wash all these sanitary products with soap and dry them thoroughly in the sun. Soaking them in hot water before washing can minimize blood stains. They should also be changed every 4-6 hours.
Environmental Impact
By using resuable, washable menstrual hygiene products, we can reduce the amount of non-biodegradable mass-produced single-use sanitary napkins. An estimated 120 single-use sanitary napkins are used on average by a menstruating girl or woman in Sri Lanka every year.
Do the math. This amounts to potentially millions and millions and millions of single-use sanitary napkins being discarded in Sri Lankan landfills, and burnt in plastic trash fires across the country.