Hi Super Supporters!

Today I’m updating you with the not so fantastic news that decision maker Procter & Gamble, owners of Tampax and Always aren’t progressing, but instead regressing.

Last year I met the period industry giant at their headquarters in Weybridge where they committed to an open dialogue. I’ve constantly been emailing them to address the issue of plastic in their products and to push for them to stop the production of plastic applicators. They told me they would update me in coming months, that was 9 months ago and just last week they said they had nothing to update on.

Yesterday, I was notified that P&G have introduced a range called ‘Organic Protection’ in Waitrose shops - so I went straight in-store to find out what these products are and what they contain. I was intrigued.

Break down of the ‘Organic Protection’ range (based on packaging and website information as P&G haven’t yet responded):

Breakdown of ‘Organic Protection Tampons’:
Wrapper covering Tampon – Ingredient not listed
‘Plant-based’ plastic applicator – 90% plant-based plastic, what’s the remaining 10%? (Usually this 10% is derived from virgin plastic).
Tampon ‘veil’ – Ingredient not listed, but usually it is plastic derived.
Core – 100% organic cotton
‘Leak Guard Braid’ – Polypropylene
String – Polyester

Break down of ‘Organic Protection Pads’:
Boasts Organic cotton pad, but the only organic layer is the top sheet, as labelled on the front of packaging.
Outer Packaging – ‘Made with >80% sugar cane based content’, what’s the remaining 20%?
Pad Wrapper – ‘Eco-friendly material’?
Top Layer of Pad – 100% cotton
Pad Core – Cellulose (from trees) and ‘absorbent gel core’.
Back Layer of Pad – ‘Made from synthetic material adhesive’.

So what’s wrong with this?
They have marketed the packaging cleverly setting it apart from their other ranges, making it look like a really eco-friendly option compared to their core range, but they still contain plastic and when you see organic on the front, you assume the whole product is. The tampons of this range come with ‘plant-based plastic’ applicators, which are made of 90% plant and the other 10% isn’t listed. Usually the remaining percentage is derived from virgin plastic and regardless of what percentage is plant-based, they behave the same way in the marine-environment and it’s unnecessary. If they sell an applicator it should be either cardboard or a reusable version.

It was disappointing to find out about this, as when we met last year, they committed to an open dialogue and to updating me on product changes and any launches, which they haven’t. Additionally, I’m totally dismayed about how ‘eco’ this range is and they have put on packaging ‘Help us do the right thing for the planet. Never flush your pads/tampons and wrappers, simply bin them’. I think they should do the right thing by removing plastic from all their products, bringing out a truly eco-friendly range and ditching plastic applicators!

After getting home and having a look at these products, I then checked the Tampax and Always website for more information and I was even more disappointed. Along with the ‘Organic Protection’ range, they’ve introduced another named ‘Platinum’, which contains lots of plastic, just like their other ranges and guess what? The Tampax Platinum.. also comes with plastic applicators! They started with 3 ranges coming with plastic applicators, now there are 5, that’s a percentage increase of 66.6%!

This really isn’t good enough. All the meetings and conversations I’ve had so far with other decision makers, both manufacturers and supermarkets have been positive, with most progressing and making changes. There will be action on P&G taking place in April, I will inform you of all the details, but keep your eyes peeled and hold on, we’re going to have to step things up.

Thank you for all your continued support!

Ella :)

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