Most mainstream period products are designed for single use and then destined for landfill. A typical pack of conventional pads contains the equivalent of five plastic bags worth of plastic, and with the average person using around 11,000 period products in their lifetime, the environmental toll quickly adds up.
At Natracare, we’ve always believed that period care should begin and end with nature in mind. That means choosing raw materials which are grown and processed sustainably, designing products that avoid plastics and chemicals of concern, and ensuring they can return safely to the earth after use. This is the circular lifecycle of Natracare period care: from plant, to period, to soil.
Step 1: Responsible Sourcing of Organic Cotton and Plant-Based Materials
Why organic cotton matters
Natracare has always chosen certified organic cotton, independently verified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Organic cotton is grown without toxic pesticides, supports healthier soils, and protects farmers, many of whom are women, from harmful chemical exposure. Our organic cotton is gentle on skin making it ideal for sensitive skin or allergies.
In contrast, many conventional pads and tampons use synthetically produced materials or cotton grown with heavy pesticide use, including chemicals like glyphosate. These practices can harm ecosystems, expose farmers to unsafe working conditions, and leave behind products that are harmful to our bodies and the environment.
Choosing plant-based, renewable and sustainably sourced materials
Beyond cotton, our pads and liners use a combination of sustainably sourced wood pulp, totally chlorine-free, plant-based materials so we can be free of petroleum plastics and superabsorbent, microplastic polymers (SAPs). Every material we choose supports a renewable, regenerative cycle.
Step 2: Designing Natracare Products for a Circular Economy
Products made to return to nature
Designing for the planet means thinking about the product’s entire lifecycle. That’s not just considering what it’s made from, but what happens after it’s used. That’s why we’ve always focused on biodegradability and composability.
Seedling Certified Compostable – a world first in period care
Our Ultra, Ultra Extra, and Maxi pads and panty liners are officially Seedling certified compostable, meeting both the EN 13432 and the ASTM D6400 standards. This certification confirms that, when disposed of in the right commercial composting conditions, our products break down into:
- Water
- Biomass
- Carbon Dioxide
Leaving behind nutrient-rich compost that can be used to grow health crops.
In a world where greenwashing is increasingly common, independent certification matters. Many brands claim their products are ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ without evidence. The seedling logo ensures our pads and liners meet strict, scientifically recognised criteria.
Step 3: Composting and Closing the Loop for Period Products
Composting
Composting in a commercial facility provides controlled temperatures, optimised aeration, and specialist conditions ensuring our pads and liners break down quickly and efficiently, returning to soil as nutrient-rich compost that can be used for growing plants, enriching land, or supporting local agriculture. The pads and liners can be placed in a well maintained, domestic compost and hot bin, but will take longer to decompose.
Why compostable products matter
Period waste is a major contributor to global pollution:
- Litter pickers report 8 pieces of period waste per 100 meters of beach.
- Menstrual products are the 5th most common item found on European shorelines.
- Pads and liners containing petrochemical plastics and polymers, never decompose and remain as microplastics polluting water and soils.
By switching to compostable period care, we can help reduce waste, lower our reliance on fossil-fuel based plastics, and return valuable nutrients to nature – completing the circle.
Step 4: The Future of Period Care is Circular
Since 1989, Natracare has worked to challenge the norms of disposable period products. Our mission has always been simple: to create organic, natural and sustainable period and personal care products, driving change for the good of people and the planet – from start to finish.
Our seedling certified pads and liners were an exciting next step, marking better materials, verified composability, and a lifecycle that goes full circle. Feel better about the products you choose and give back to the planet – from plant, to period, to soil.
