Vicky Sanderson The first menstrual pad ever created is still in a landfill. It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? The same goes for wrappers and tampon applicators. Conventional plastic pads, for example, take over 300 years to break down, according to Business Insider India. Fortunately, we no longer have to introduce to the waste stream period products that last for centuries.
Joni is a Canadian company that uses compostable and biodegradable materials to make FSC, OEKO-TEX and ECOCERT certified pads and tampons that break down in twelve months.
These affordable (8 for $5.60) pads are made of bamboo (ten times more absorbent than cotton, they say) and cornstarch. Period products come in biodegradable paper packaging and compostable plastic wrappers.
Shipping is free across Canada, whether delivery is urban, rural, or remote. You can choose a one-time purchase or set up a convenient subscription service for a package suited to your monthly flow and habits. Very clever. The line is also available at well.ca, Healthy Planet and more than 100 other health, wellness and drug retailers.
Joni’s mission commits it to the empowerment of everyone who menstruates. To that end, they advocate for new period equity policies and initiatives.
Partnering with grassroots organizations across Canada, as well as NGOs like the United Way, Joni has distributed over 101,000 sustainable products to people struggling with accessible, affordable period care.
A voice for advocacy
In October of last year, Joni moved towards a five per cent giveback model that also funds educational programs and research initiatives specifically focused on period inequity. More of this, please.
