Did you know that every year an estimated 1.5 to 2 billion period care items are flushed down Britain’s toilets? The majority of which ends up contributing to ocean plastic pollution…
It’s a shocking statistic right? 🫣
Plastic tampon applicators alone can take up to 500 years to break down. And yet, studies show that over 50% of people flush period products after use, often without realising the damage this can cause. When it comes to beach and ocean pollution, plastic applicators are some key offenders.
While alternatives exist, such as cardboard applicators, reusable applicators, or non-applicator tampons, plastic applicators remain the most widely used option in the UK.
Our Commitment At TOTM
At TOTM since selling our very first box of tampons, we’ve been working hard to make a difference. We take a mindful and ethical approach in all that we do, and as a company, we want to grow in a way that’s good for our people, our community, and the planet as well as our business.
We offer cardboard applicators as part of our commitment to reducing plastic waste. But our efforts don’t just stop there. We play an important part in tackling ocean plastics by supporting Plastic Offset to proactively reduce existing ocean plastic.
For every TOTM cardboard applicator tampon sold, we help recover the equivalent amount of ocean-bound plastic.
This means that while our products remain plastic-free, we’re also contributing to reducing the wider impact of plastic pollution globally.
Who Are Plastic Offset?
Plastic Offset is a foundation operating across South East Asia to collect discarded plastic waste from oceans, rivers, roads, communities and areas of natural beauty. Their mission is to collect, sort and process plastic waste into recycled products by empowering local communities and business leaders to fight back against the global deluge of plastic waste.
The individuals who collect the plastic are fairly compensated for the waste they collect, helping to create sustainable income while tackling pollution.
At TOTM we support Plastic Offset specifically through their Biru Foundation plastic collection project in Lombok, Indonesia. An initiative addressing the growing issue of plastic pollution along the island’s coastline and mangrove habitats.
Plastic waste that accumulates in coastal areas can smother mangrove roots, blocking sunlight and oxygen that are essential for young mangroves to take root and thrive. Without healthy mangrove forests, the coastline becomes more vulnerable to erosion, as mangroves play a crucial role in stabilizing sediment and protecting the shore from wave action and storm surges.
Alongside clean-up efforts, they run education and waste prevention programmes within local schools, villages and businesses. By raising awareness and encouraging better waste management practices, they’re helping to stop plastic from reaching the ocean in the first place.
TOTM’s Impact So Far 🙌
Working with the Biru Foundation plastic collection project, so far TOTM have removed 19,777kg of plastic from the ocean. That’s the equivalent of 6,592,33 plastic applicators.
As a result of these ongoing efforts, eco-tourism has begun to flourish in the region. Tourists visiting from nearby Bali are increasingly drawn to Lombok’s hands-on environmental initiatives, joining beach clean-ups, and mangrove restoration projects led by the Biru Foundation. This collaboration between visitors and locals has strengthened environmental stewardship and provided new opportunities for sustainable income in the area.
Why Choose TOTM? 💜
Conventional period products can contain up to 90% plastic. At TOTM, we’re committed to changing that status quota. TOTM products are made using GOTS certified 100% organic cotton with no toxins, fragrances or harsh chemicals. All tampons are wrapped in recyclable paper and come with a plastic-free cardboard applicator. All of our pads are wrapped in cornstarch bio-film and packaged in recycled cardboard.
Our cotton is certified by ICEA to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ensuring the highest environmental and ethical standards.
Small swaps = big difference 🙌
Choosing plastic-free period care might feel like a small change, but collectively, it can have a huge impact on both your body and the environment.
By switching to products made with natural, sustainable materials, you’re helping to reduce plastic waste and protect our oceans for future generations.
As a sustainable period care brand, we’re continually looking for ways to be 100% plastic free and help people have plastic-free periods. If you’re the same and want to reduce plastic use as much as possible then consider this simple swap. A minor change to protect our planet for the future.
