Periods are messy – as every woman knows it, and they generate a lot of waste. While the invention of menstruation pads was pretty good, these single-use feminine hygiene products vastly end up in landfills as plastic waste. Aiming to reduce and eliminate single-use products, LastObject has created LastPad – a reusable menstruation pad to reduce feminine hygiene products’ waste.
Apparently, 19 billion pads and tampons are thrown out each year in the US, each of which takes nearly 500 years to decompose. According to the European Commission, menstrual products are the 5th most common plastic waste product polluting the oceans and burdening the landfills.
To eradicate that waste, LastPad offers a leak-proof, reusable solution that is designed to cater to women’s health and their needs for sanitary napkins during the menstruation cycle. Featuring a triple-layer layout, these pads have anti-bacterial properties and are more absorbent than traditional single-use menstruation products.
The top layer is made of anti-bacterial polyester that helps protect your clothes and your body. The bottom layer contains fast-wicking bamboo charcoal so that fluids will funnel into the absorbent middle layer keeping your skin dry and fresh, without any fears of infection or foul odors.
The anti-bacterial properties of the top layer diminish odor-producing bacteria and fungi, and help maintain the reliability of the fabric. The wings and silicone strips hold the pad in place, while the elastic straps make it easy to fold and store. Each pad has a pouch for easy storage.
Image: LastPad
According to the LastObject, this is how a menstruation pad was always meant to be, easy to use, on-the-go availability, while chemical-free and environmentally friendly. After every use, you can toss it in the washing machine to be cleaned for the next use.
LastPad is a revolutionary product. The pad is black in color – a striking change from the usual white sanitary napkin. Another big change is that it has been designed for sustained and repeat use, which is a huge burden lifted from landfills.
Image: LastPad
However, much like your several pairs of socks and briefs, you will have to own a set of LastPads to see you through until after laundry day. The product is available in different sizes and thicknesses to cater to different flow levels.
LastPad is currently up on Kickstarter for crowdfunding, where it has long surpassed its set goal. Pricing will be around $60 for three pads – pantiliners, day pads and overnight pads. While this is quite expensive than the traditional products, it will decrease the monthly expenses for sanitary products over time as one pad can withstand at least 240 washes.
Even though a bit of pressure on your wallet in the starting, this product is a huge step toward lessening the wastefulness of single-use hygiene products. It not only works in favor of female hygiene and safety during menstruation, but also reduces the environmental impact of these products, making it a wonderful creation.
Image: LastPad
Image: LastPad
Image: LastPad