Why we do what we do
The first step in understanding the multi-dimensional issue we have at hand.
Creating plant-based period products
The Problem of Plastic Pollution
Conventional period products contain large amounts of petrochemical-based plastics that could pollute our planet for over 500 years after their disposal.
Exploring Possible Solutions
Reusable products offer a great sustainable alternative, but not every person may not feel comfortable using them due to personal, cultural, or health-related reasons.
Creating Plant-based Period Products
We designed Sparkle products by keeping the entire product life-cycle in mind so that our personal care range could be gentle on your body and kind to the planet.
Globally, around 300 billion period products are used and discarded every year, resulting in millions of tons of waste.
Most conventional sanitary pads can contain a large amount of plastic (up to 90% in some cases), which is the equivalent amount of 4-5 plastic bags per pad.
Where do the used 300 billion period products end up?
So, what are the possible solutions?
There are many great sustainable period product alternatives to conventional, single-use products such as menstrual cups, menstrual discs, reusable cloth pads, period underwear, etc.
With that being said, just like no two period cycles are alike, nor are their menstruators or their product choices.
Menstrual cups or discs
Due to personal choices, cultural beliefs, or even medical conditions, many menstruators may not feel comfortable about inserting a period product such as a menstrual cup or a menstrual disc inside their body.
Cloth pads or period underwear
Although the performance of reusable period products such as cloth pads and period underwear has significantly improved over the last decade, obstacles such as the inconvenience of using them or not having access to safe, private, and hygienic washing/drying facilities have contributed to their marginal use.
Plant-based period products
According to many industry surveys, around 95% of menstruators still prefer and continue to use the single-use disposable period product due to its convenience, portability, and comfort in addition to health-related reasons or other personal views.
Why plant-based pads?
We believe that every menstruator should have a wide variety of choices when it comes to choosing a period product that works for them.
Since a wide majority of the population still prefers to use disposable, single-use period products that do not require a change in their lifestyles, we have designed a plant-based, sustainable alternative by keeping the product’s entire life-cycle in mind, starting from choosing sustainable ingredients to the product’s responsible disposal.
Redesigning a sanitary pad, layer by layer
We started by replacing the conventional plastic from the different layers of the sanitary pad; the top sheet of the Sparkle pad is made from cellulose fibers, the absorbent core is also made from a porous network of cellulose fibers, and the back film is made using plant-based bioplastic.
Planet-friendly period care
Made with plant-based ingredients
No conventional plastics
No polypropylene or polyethylene in the top sheet, core or back sheet that could pollute the planet for over 500 years after disposal
No synthetic superabsorbents
No sodium polyacrylates that are derived from crude oil
No artificial fragrances or dyes
No harsh chemicals that may cause rashes or irritations
Plant-based period products that are focused on the entire product life-cycle.
We have designed the Sparkle pad in such a way that whether it ends up in an industrial composting facility or even in a landfill, it offers a more sustainable alternative when compared to its conventional counterpart.
Tested and certified by reputed independent third-party organizations
Disintegration study in industrial composting conditions
The physical disintegration of Sparkle pads in industrial composting conditions has been tested according to ISO 16929 (Standard Test Method for Determination of the Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Material under Defined Composting Conditions in a Pilot-scale Test). Sparkle pads reached a disintegration percentage of 100% in less than 8 weeks. According to the test standard, 90% of test material should disintegrate and break down into pieces smaller than 2 mm in size after a 12-week period.
Biodegradation and disintegration of any product depends on a number of factors such as the disposal location and other specific conditions.
Tested and certified by reputed independent third-party organizations
Biodegradation study in industrial composting conditions
Sparkle pads have been tested according to ISO 14855 (Standard Test Method for Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials under Controlled Composting Conditions). Sparkle pads reached 90% biodegradation in less than 90 days. According to the standard, the test sample must reach 90% biodegradation in 180 days to pass the test.
Disintegration study in industrial composting conditions
The physical disintegration of Sparkle pads in industrial composting conditions has been tested according to ISO 16929 (Standard Test Method for Determination of the Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Material under Defined Composting Conditions in a Pilot-scale Test). Sparkle pads reached a disintegration percentage of 100% in less than 8 weeks. According to the test standard, 90% of test material should disintegrate and break down into pieces smaller than 2 mm in size after a 12-week period.
Biodegradation and disintegration of any product depends on a number of factors such as the disposal location and other specific conditions.
What would happen to a Sparkle pad if it ends up in a landfill?
Sparkle pads have been tested according to ASTM D5511 (Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions) to evaluate how they could behave in a landfill environment (high-solids, mesophilic, anaerobic conditions that simulate and accelerate the biodegradation process that would take place in a typical stationary landfill).
Sparkle pads reached relative biodegradation of around 75% when compared to positive reference (cellulose), and absolute biodegradation of around 60% after 15 days of incubation (which represents around one year in a landfill).
Conventional pads that contain large amounts of plastic remain unchanged in a landfill for around 500 years.
Biodegradation of any product depends on a number of factors such as the disposal location and other specific conditions.
Closing the loop
To ensure that Sparkle's plant-based products do not end up in landfills or incinerators, we developed the BetterCycle program so that our products can safely go back to the Earth.
Through our BetterCycle program, we collect your used period products and safely transform them into compost or biochar, which can be used as a soil amendment; this offers a more sustainable alternative to your products ending up in a landfill.
Join our BetterCycle program today and start your journey towards a greener period!
FAQ
Composting is the natural decomposition process of organic matter that transforms biodegradable material into nutrient-rich top soil, water, and carbon dioxide through the action of microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi.
The natural/home composting process typically occurs at a lower temperature (around 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit or 20-30 degree Celsius), which takes anywhere between a few months to a few years for organic material to break down.
The industrial composting process, on the other hand, occurs at a much higher temperature (generally, 122-140 degrees Fahrenheit or 50-60 degree C), which can break down the biodegradable material in around 12-16 weeks.
The industrial composting process optimizes composting conditions (such as temperature, turning, aeration, etc.) which allow microorganisms to thrive and accelerate the natural process of decomposition so that the biodegradable material can break down faster.
Biochar is made using a process called pyrolysis through which biomass is heated at very high temperatures with little to no oxygen (this thermochemically transforms the biomass into a stable char in just a few hours).
This biochar can be used as a soil amendment as it is highly porous and provides ideal conditions for microorganisms to thrive in it; it also increases the water-holding capacity of soil and reduces the need for fertilizers.
Composting any materials containing human waste or bodily fluids requires high composting temperatures (around 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit or 20-30 degree Celsius) and specific composting conditions - this temperature is crucial to safely kill harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Backyard/home composting process typically occurs at a much lower temperature (around 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit or 20-30 degree Celsius), and does not reach the high temperature required to kill the pathogens found in human waste.
To ensure that the compost or top soil produced from composting our plant-based period products is safe and pathogen-free, we partner with licensed industrial composting facilities that are equipped to process specific waste streams containing human waste.
Since backyard composting does not create the specific composting conditions for safely composting human waste and killing harmful pathogens, you cannot compost your used period products in your backyard.
Municipal/curbside composting programs typically accept food waste, lawn trimmings, cardboard pieces, etc which use a very different composting process compared to the composting conditions that are required to safely process human waste and kill harmful bacteria/pathogens.
Mixing used period products that contain human waste and bodily fluids contaminates the composting stream, so used period products should never be mixed with city compost bins/green bins. In many municipalities, it is often illegal to place items containing human waste, such as period products, in the city compost bins.
