Hello Super Supporters! 

On Monday we took action and tweeted Procter & Gamble, Tampax and Always, today let's send them a wave of emails, to show them how many of us there are that desire change and want them to end period plastic! The email template is below, if you have time you could also fill out this contact form on their website. 

Email: consumercare.im@pg.com

Subject: P&G End Period Plastic!

Dear Procter & Gamble,

I am contacting you as a supporter of the ‘Make all Menstrual Products Plastic Free’ campaign that has over 107,400 signatures! (www.change.org/plasticfreeperiods)

Over the last year the threat of plastic pollution has been gaining huge media coverage with its adverse environmental effects taking centre stage. There are numerous environmental impacts associated with period products, they can enter rivers, oceans and end up on beaches when incorrectly flushed, in fact an estimated 1.5-2 billion are flushed down UK toilets every year! This pollutes and negatively impacts the environment. They contribute to ocean plastic pollution and overtime their plastic content breaks down into smaller pieces known as micro-plastics and fibres which are then a further threat to marine-life and wider ecosystems. They also contribute landfill waste and if they aren’t sent to landfill then they are incinerated. But no matter where they end up, whether at the bottom of the sea, in landfill or on a beach, they will remain there for hundreds of years and pose constant danger to animals and birds.

The issue of period plastic is incredibly important because the harmful impacts they are having on the environment, oceans and wildlife is completely avoidable, certainly as there are companies who have produced eco-friendly alternatives since the 80’s. Therefore, it is evident that the high plastic content of conventional period care, such as yours is unnecessary, and this is why it is obvious that change must happen.

You own two of the biggest brands in the period industry these being Tampax and Always (also known as Whisper) and they all contain high amounts of plastic. Tampax has not one but three ranges of tampons that come with plastic applicators, Tampax Pearl, Compak and Compak Pearl. These plastic applicators are a major problem, I am aware that you put Do-Not-Flush symbols on packaging, but they are still flushed and then pollute the natural environment. Applicators are used for a matter of seconds and should not be made from a material that takes centuries to break down. There is no excuse for this excessive use of plastic when there are viable alternatives such as cardboard applicators, which you already produce.

This is why I am calling on you to acknowledge and address the avoidable environmental impacts that Tampax and Always are having, and ultimately to take responsibility for the unnecessary plastic content in these products by going plastic-free! I am aware that product development may take some time and that change won’t happen overnight, but, you own the biggest period brands and with that comes profit. Consumers are becoming aware of the impacts of plastic and are changing their spending habits by moving away from plastic-laden products in favour of those that are eco-friendly. With this shifting demand, why not use some of your profit to develop and transform your period products? Just think of the amount of positive press you would get for doing this as well as the difference you would be making.

There are two simple changes that you could make whilst doing product development that would make a huge difference: replacing the plastic applicators in your ranges and swapping them instead for cardboard and changing the plastic packaging of Always products to cardboard.

Over 107K are calling on you to stop manufacturing pointless plastic applicators and to end period plastic in Tampax and Always. Period products are an essential, however the plastic content of them is not; will you do what is necessary and end period plastic for the environment, the oceans and wildlife?

Yours Sincerely,

_______________________

Thank you for you for being part of making change happen!

Ella :)

#EndPeriodPlastic