Some believe that periods are like punctuation for the sentence of womanhood; others see it as a moment to soak in the pause of your book of life.
Whether your monthly moon time is gory or glorious, one thing’s for sure: it requires tools.
Beyond heating pads and Netflix, we’re talking eco-friendly tampons.
Wait just one Midol minute….are tampons eco-friendly?
While we personally prefer alternatives to tampons—like reusable pads, and menstrual cups—we know that some period peeps are most comfortable with disposables.
Fortunately, there’s a clot of options out there when it comes to the most sustainable tampons made from biodegradable materials.
And that’s what we’ve sourced in this list, brands who not only prioritize responsible materials, but also ethical labor and low-impact applicators and packaging.
In the next few months, we’ll be unveiling our Brand Rating System. This will review a brand’s eco-performance across a range of key factors, including their climate impact and chemical use. You can read more about it here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Eco-Friendly Tampons To End Bloody Eco Harm… Period.
TOTM won’t cramp your style with their GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton eco tampons, and they donate a portion of each purchase to endometriosis research and care.
Or when mother nature’s red wedding spills, try DeoDoc’s biodegradable tampon applicators to ensure the most low-impact flow. We’ve tested these our ourselves and love how the light (but still biodegradable!) coated cardboard texture makes insertion smoother than other cardboard applicator tampons we’ve tried.
Index: Sustainable Tampons
- Deodoc Jump to brand
- TOTM Jump to brand
- Viv Jump to brand
- Cora Jump to brand
- DAME Jump to brand
- Tampon Tribe Jump to brand
- Daye Jump to brand
Deodoc
DeoDoc’s Tampons
Go with the flow thanks to DeoDoc’s naturally absorbent eco tampons made of 100% certified GOTS organic cotton—and zero of anything else.
Designed by female gynecologists and doctors, the tampon’s hypoallergenic soft cotton layers provide a super-comfy fit and won’t shed.
They come with a biodegradable cardboard applicator and packaging, meaning you’re likewise helping keep the planet and your lady bits plastic-free.
In the cardboard tampons vs plastic tampons debate, we’ll always suggest the cardboard applicator option FYI!
DeoDoc’s tampons are also 100% vegan, allergen/ alcohol/ paraben-free, designed in Sweden, made in Spain, and dermatologically and gynaecologically tested.
About DeoDoc
Sisterhood and mystery smells down there is what led to DeoDoc, the first intimate care brand founded and run by female doctors.
The brand is breaking taboos and empowering women with suppressed knowledge that they need about their bodies.
As women doctors whose research has led to the development of new pain relief for women in childbirth and anesthetic gel for pain during cervical or uterus interventions in the EU, it’s safe to say we love and trust this brand.
They also offer a membership with free shipping and special deals on their gynecologist-developed intimate health products.
Our Personal Review of DeoDoc’s Tampons:
“Full disclosure and possible TMI: I said ‘ta-ta’ to tampons years ago when I switched to my menstrual cup. So I was a little nervous about testing out tampons after so long, but I was surprised at how soft and gentle these felt. The cardboard applicator isn’t nearly as sticky and uncomfortable as I remember the cardboard applicators of old feeling, and they provide reliable absorption. While I still don’t think these will replace my cup for daily wear, they’re great to have on hand for on-the-go needs when I don’t always have the ability to properly clean my hands and cup if I need to dump it.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head Of Content
TOTM
TOTM’s Tampons
Period positive and totally sustainable, TOTM touts a bold and bright future for period care with tampons, pads, liners, and menstrual cups.
While their menstrual cups are the most kind to the environment (and your wallet) this brand also offers the next most sustainable option, which are non-applicator tampons.
Alternatively, they sell tampons with biodegradable applicators if the idea of inserting without one makes you cringe.
All tampons come as light, regular, super, or super plus and are made from super soft GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton with no fragrance, dyes, PFAS, artificial absorbents, or chlorine bleach.
About TOTM
Family-owned Certified B Corp TOTM is also Climate Neutral Certified, Vegan certified, PETA Cruelty Free, and Certified ICEA Eco Bio—showing they bloody care about period dignity while tackling plastic waste with plastic-free tampons.
TOTM proudly donates 1% of all online sales to Endometriosis UK.
They also help remove ocean plastics by collecting the equivalent weight of plastic from the ocean as cardboard applicator tampons they sell.
In addition, their gift-a-pad program is designed to provide a steady flow of pads to In Kind Direct for those in need, with over 100,000 pads donated to date.
Viv
Viv’s Tampons
Let your V feel vivacious on the rag with Viv.
Viv tampons are entirely toxin-free, and made of 100% organic cotton that cuts out the harmful chemicals and uncomfortable plastic, providing a safe, healthy, and more earth-friendly period.
Tampons available as regular, super, or a combo of both in a box of 18, all featuring ultra-smooth BPA-free applicators if you need tampons with applicators.
About Viv
Three “eco conscious menstruators” founded Viv, concerned about the negative impact conventional period care has on our bodies and the planet.
After all, each typical drug store pad takes about 800 years to break down, which is a startling truth that sprung the Viv founders into action.
The brand offers subscriptions and rewards for members.
Cora
Cora’s Tampons
The organic period underwear from Cora helps us free flow, and they’ve got some of the most comfortable tampons on the menstrual market, too.
Theirs is both ICEA and GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton “inside and out,” and free from pesticides, dioxins, fragrances, and chlorine bleach.
While we urge you to choose applicator-free, Cora stocks both plant-based applicator and applicator-free options in a range of absorbency levels for their sustainable tampons, from light to super absorbent.
They’ve recently redesigned tampons for smoother insertion and removal and they’re also replacing their plastic wrappers with paper ones.
About Cora
“Easy peazy, bloody breezy” is how Cora describes their period products that are kind to both Mother Earth and menstruators.
Since community is the cor(a) of their values, Cora provides period products and body literacy resources to people in need throughout India, Kenya, and the USA with every purchase.
10% of profits go toward ending period poverty, and 75% of domestic giving is donated to BIPOC communities most needing period care.
DAME
DAME’s Tampons
Reusable tampons?
Maybe not, unless we’re talking about menstrual cups and discs.
But a reusable tampon applicator?
DAME sells the first of its kind and it’s a total game changer.
And with 1.3 billion plastic applicators annually thrown away after a single use in the UK, it’s no wonder Aunt Flo loves this reusable solution as much as Mother Earth.
DAME’s green tampons are likewise people and planet friendly, with zero plastic, pesticides, plastic, bleach, absorbents, coloring, and harsh chemicals. Even their wrappers are biodegradable cellulose. Oh, and did we mention they’re 100% GOTS certified organic cotton?
If you’re in need of tampons for sensitive skin, these come recommended to prevent vaginal and vulva irritation, plus customers report lighter, shorter, or less painful periods, and less painful periods.
About DAME
You’ll feel like a dame that time of the month thanks to Certified B Corp DAME’s sustainable approach to menstrual cups, period underwear, and disposables.
“From field to fanny,” DAME carefully traces their impact, supply chain, and carbon footprint, making all info highly visible and available online for transparency.
They’re also Vegan certified and practice carbon insetting.
Tampon Tribe
Tampon Tribe’s Tampons
If you want a string of eco-friendly pads and tampons that feature a biodegradable tampon applicator, then join the Tampon Tribe.
All of Tampon Tribe’s products are FDA-approved products and made from GOTS-certified organic cotton that follows the European ICEA standard, meaning zero viscose, chlorine, fragrances, dioxins, PFAS, or glue in their tampon’s hypoallergenic and vegan blend.
Available in three sizes—regular, super, or super plus—all of their sustainable tampons feature a special weave designed to prevent fiber shedding.
With their cute jute carrying bag, paper wrapping, and biodegradable cardboard applicator, these tampons make a welcome addition to any zero waste bathroom.
About Tampon Tribe
Tampon Tribe is a community-minded company, and to show their support their Give One Get One program donates feminine hygiene products to women experiencing homelessness.
With organic production processes carefully monitored and manufacturing done in the European countryside using water power and solar power, they’re also mindful of shopping emissions and choose to ship via container over air.
This woman and LGBTQ-owned business also supports fair labor practices and is plastic-negative—in other words, since they use zero plastic, they collect a pound of ocean plastic for every pound saved by not using it.
If you join the tribe, you’ll be gifted with free shipping and tribe rewards.
Daye
Daye’s Tampons
Period cramping your style?
You’re covered day(e) and night with Daye’s next-level tampons that are made from sustainably sourced organic cotton with a protective shed-free sleeve and optional CBD coating.
You heard that right, with rigorous science behind them, Daye’s pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid-coated tampons are created from closed-loop hemp that harnesses the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that studies indicate CBD oils contain. Goodbye cramps!
You can choose their Nude tampons (no CBD), CBD tampons, a combo offering, or even a personalized tampon box.
Their organic cotton sustainable tampons are housed in renewable sugarcane applicators and each wrapped in the world’s only flushable wrappers—and even then, if you have the option to compost industrially, that’s the better choice.
For extra pizzazz and reusability, they also come with a stylish aluminum reusable tampon case and organic cotton storage pouch.
About Daye
Certified B Corp and Carbon-Neutral company Daye commits to healing our planet and our bodies through sustainable holistic approaches to health.
They also partner with Pachama to offset their carbon footprint and combat deforestation.
And as Student Beans partners, they provide a 20% discount to college students, which allows menstruating students to have more money for stuff like tuition and school supplies.
