Sanitary wear.... Where?

The effects of disposable sanitary products on women and the environment is now pretty much old news as you'll see in the excellent overview Seeing Red, which was published by the Womens Environmental Network in 2004.

So as we reach the end of 2008, why is it still so difficult to find alternative, environmentally friendly options widely available in high-street stores and supermarkets?

After all retailers are becoming more concerned about the environment....aren't they? With corporate social responsibility (CSR) statements brandishing promises to reduce plastic bags, packaging and such like.

If this is the case, why aren't retail stores also promoting reusable sanitary products? With the exception of Boots, where one can order a Mooncup, why is it the case that alternative products can normally only be found online or in specialist stores.

Until reusable products become commonplace in high-street chemists and supermarkets, people's awareness will remain limited and opinions will remain unchanged.

I firmly believe that if more women have the opportunity to discover alternative products for themselves, by making them more easily available, we will see a break-through in the market.

So why aren't these products more widely available, for us to select while we go about our normal shopping?

Is it because of lack of demand?

If this is the case, why are they sold elsewhere?

Is it because of lack of supply?

If this is the case, why are they sold elsewhere?

Perhaps it's because of opportunity cost? Now let's think about this one. If more women in the UK buy reusable products, they will spend less money on disposable products, which even in 2001 represented a market value of £370 million.

Call me an old cynic, but I can't think of any other reason why our beloved retailers don't do more to promote alternatives?

If you think they should change and make it easier for women to have more choice, maybe it's now time to do for sanitary products as is being done for plastic bags and packaging.

If you agree, please contact your favourite store and ask that they add reusable sanitary products to their range. The more people who do so, the more evidence there will be that there is an actual demand.

All it needs is one phone call or one email and the opportunity to see if they are really willing to put their money where their Corporate Social Responsibility mouth is.

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