I interviewed Bea for the first time four years ago. At that time zero waste was beginning to grow. Today it is not only for the *fanatics* who like? to chill, it is becoming a well known and even more importantly - integratable life style. In our family we are still not close to zero Waste. But we have made many changes and are working our way there slowly.

As you will hear Bea talk about the 5 R's, I know where I still feel challenged - the refuse one. We don't buy a lot. But we say yes to way too much stuff we don't need.

I feel fueled and filled again with inspiration after speaking to her. And even though you may not feel called to go *all the way*, I guarantee you will be called to make a few changes in your home. If we all did just a fraction of what she is doing, I can hardly imagine how it could shift things around.

The 5 R’s:
Refuse

Reuse

Reduce

Recycle

Rot

Listen in here:

Also check out:

Episode 1 - With A Plastic Planet

Episode 2 - 5 Simple Ways to Swap for Plastic free

About Bea:

Bea Johnson and her family have produced a mere pint of trash per year since 2008. Dubbed "The Priestess of Waste-Free Living" by the New York Times, Bea has been featured on TV shows and in publications all over the world. She shatters misconceptions, proving that zero waste can not only be stylish, but can also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. With her simple 5R methodology and blog turned bestselling book (Zero Waste Home, translated in 25 languages, #1 on Amazon waste cat.), Bea initiated a global movement. She has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to adopt waste-free living, open unpackaged shops, conceive reusable products, and launch organizations. Leading spokesperson for the zero waste lifestyle, she has completed fourteen international speaking tours and given talks in 50+ countries on 6 continents. Her clients include Google, Amazon, Starbucks, TEDx, the European Parliament and the United Nations. She is a Grand Prize winner of The Green Awards, and a French native who currently lives in Mill Valley, California.

Most women are beginning to notice the rise in women owning their blood. Some find it over the top, gross, something that should continue to be private and toned down.

Others, me included, find the power in knowing how my cycle influences me throughout the month. And more so how my way of living influences my cycle. It is our feedback system if we dare to listen. It tells a lot. And whether you feel like claiming it publicly or not, I can only recommend beginning to explore your cycle.

This is not only the bleeding time, but the full cycle from pre ovulation all the way around to the days you bleed.

Tuning into emotions, mood, physical sensation, energy. In this post I share a little more on tracking your cycle. Take a read…

For this post I wanted to bring attention to the less-waste approaches I’ve made when it comes to my cycle.

It is very simple actually, I stopped buying pads, tampons (only used those when I was a teen) and have invested in 6 fabric pads and a luna cup. That is all I use.

It is easy. I have a little wet bag for used pads. Wash them with towels etc. No smell or a bloody mess… haha.

But the thing that brings me true joy is what it saves me money wise and Earth wise.

The Numbers

Meet Jaluna Red ;) . She’s 50 and just had her last period. She had her first when she was 12. She has 2 children and with both kids her cycle began again 10 months after giving birth.

The past 2 years her cycle has been a little irregular. So taking all of this into calculation, she has had around 408 bleeds in her life time.

Jaluna used to bleed 5 days on average and used 4-5 pads or tampons a day. (You can do your own calculation. I have 3 girls so I will experience fewer.)

Jaluna has used a whopping 8160 pads/tampons in those years!! That’s a lot going down the drain or in the trash!

She used a common brand, non organic etc. 1 pad cost her around 20cents.* So in her life time she spends roughly 1600USD on pads/tampons alone.

It’s a lot really.

My calculation
So let’s say I have to buy three cups in my bleeding years. Each cup lasts around 10years = 17USD per cup.

And then 3x 6 cloth pads (those who can make them themselves can save even more) = 25USD for a 6pack.

All together it has cost me roughly 126USD with the zero waste version.

A lot of math, but worth doing!

So there are a few motivation pointers to look at when it comes to choosing what you use. And more and more are coming up: underwear was recently launched for example, so you don’t need any of the options above, sponges and more.

Glancing at these numbers it gives me the sense of the scale of our choices.

Little me may not make a big difference… we think. But let’s say that I get 4 friends to join me. We’ve already saved the world from 32640 pads/tampons. Each of those 4 inspires 4 more etc. and all of the sudden we are making an impact.

Numbers will vary no doubt. Cost will vary no doubt. But the amount of trash we generate continues to rise. Where it goes. What it means to our Earth will also be discussed, for me my consumption and consumer habits is in my power and worth looking at 1 million *little me* actions is no longer insignificant!

I hope that this post will inspire you to do your research and what is out there, and maybe find a way to bring the number down of what we throw away or flush out into our water.

With Love
Cx

For inspiration on zero waste action in your business check out this post...

*I ran it through Google and these are prices on average in Europe. See links below. It will vary from country to country. But the amount of pads being thrown away is the same, regardless of the price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AFMJMPQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B01AFMJMPQ&pd_rd_wg=pX95O&pd_rd_r=MQ44JXCKV8B8PQZHRFZ7&pd_rd_w=0Looe&th=1

https://menstrualcupreviews.net/go/MeLuna-Main