Eco-menses

Sometimes it appears there aren’t any uncharted waters when it comes to greening lifestyles.

Environmentally conscious women are increasingly opting for a reusable menstrual cup instead of disposable feminine products such as tampons and pads, according to The Canadian Press.

Depending on the brand, cups reportedly last from one to 10 years. Since the average woman is thought to go through anywhere from 11,000 to 15,000 feminine-hygiene products in her lifetime, a reusable alternative would save landfills and sewage-treatment facilities from a lot of waste.

Surprisingly, menstrual cups aren’t a new invention. They were actually developed back in the 1930s, but gave way to the convenience of other products. In addition to the environmental appeal of the cups, many women concerned about the chemicals used in traditional products are making the switch.