My Cost Vs. Saves series continues, this week I am asking Which Is Greener, Tampons Or Diva Cups?
In this series, I take a look at specific products and compare them based on the financial cost and the cost to the environment. Going green doesn’t have to be expensive. Let’s get a close-up on the savings to your wallet AND the environment by going green!
COST- Tampons
Financial Cost: Price per box of 50 Tampax Pearl is $9.98, which means the price per tampon is 20 cents. If a woman were to use approximately 20 tampons per cycle, then she would spend approximately $48 for 240 tampons in a year.
Environmental Cost: The tampon and string are made of rayon and cotton. Rayon comes from cellulose fibres found in wood pulp, and it needs to be purified from the potential use of pesticides etc. in the wood. To bleach it, an elemental chlorine-free process is used, which also minimizes dioxins. Still, trace amounts of dioxides are found in tampons.
Related: How I Switched To Cloth Pads
Don’t forget about the packaging tampons come in! Tampon applicators and wrappers require a lot of energy and are also single-use, not reusable or recyclable. They are made of natural resources including cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and crude oil. Tampon applicators will outlive the woman that once used it.
SAVE- Diva Cup
Financial Cost: $39.99 for a Diva Cup, which, depending on the user and maintenance, has a lifespan of 1 year or longer. The diva cup holds 1 oz of blood, which is the approximate equivalent of two high-absorbency tampons.
3 Bonuses:
1-free of chemicals, BPA, latex, plastic and dye. It’s 100% healthcare grade silicone.
2- Made in Canada
3- Silicone can be burned in a fire since it is made of sand/glass.
Total Cost-Save: Tampon use costs approximately $48 annually, plus a ton of waste, whereas a Diva cup will cost approximately $40 annually. By going green, you can save $8 annually, and a TON of waste!
Have you used a diva cup? I’d love to know what you think, tell me in the comments below.
I used a diva cup for over ten years with no fails
And it is comfortable .
Also loved the zero waste .
I love mine too 🙂
Hi Candice,
I rep DIVA CUPS here in the GTA. Often on sale at drug & grocery stores with SALE prices as low as $29.99 to $34.99.
Thank you for the very kind and true words on the benefits of using DIVA CUPS.
Check out thedivacup on Instagram
Thanks so much for your message,
best,
Candice