First a speech:

Now the last review brought up some concerns because I said, “A tampon is a tampon” – likely some of you disagree, one person said so, but I bet there’s more of you. Here’s the deal – I’m just one girl with one type of cycle and one set of experiences so all I can say is what I know.

If you have a different experience with a product (any product) that you see here at Tree Hugging Family always feel free to leave a comment or send us an email (with your name or not) and we might post it. I say “Might” because Peggy and I think a few of the comments and emails we get are from companies not readers. If we suspect your glowing review is company based and thus biased we won’t post it. But we do value reader input.

Back to reviews:

Today I’m reviewing Seventh Generation Chlorine-Free Ultra-thin Pads with Wings – I’ve only used regular absorbency. The eco and health perks from their website include:

• “Whitened without chlorine
• Ultra-thin absorbent layer
• Safer for sensitive skin
• Wheat-based absorbent core
• Contoured wings for best fit
• Secure, no-slip adhesive
• Packaging is recyclable”

They also disclose all ingredients on their website, right smack in plain view, along with their Material Safety Data Sheets, in both English and Spanish.

Ingredients include:

“Ultra-thin pads are made of a combination of absorbent materials, polyolefins, adhesives, and a silicone-coated paper. The top layer is a non-woven polyolefin cover sheet. The absorbent materials consist of chlorine free wood pulp, chlorine free airlaid fabric, and Lysorb, an absorbent gel. Lysorb, also known as SNAP (super absorbent natural polymer), is a polysaccharide derived from wheat. Polysaccharides are complex sugars found in many natural substances, like the fibers of cotton, wood, and wheat.”

Also available are:

• Chlorine-Free Organic Cotton Tampons
• Chlorine-Free Pantiliners
• Chlorine-Free Maxi Pads

I haven’t used any of the above. I like the Natracare Tampons which are less expensive than the Seventh Generation tampons (where I shop), so I go with those.

What I think:

I think the regular size work great, (i.e. no leaks) and they’re super thin. I’m sort of surprised they work so well, being so thin. Unlike the Natracare pads, the Seventh Generation pads actually stick to your undies. As you might guess, the fact that they stick is a huge pro. I like that the packaging is recyclable and since there’s no plastic backing in the pads, they’re more biodegradable as well. (*SEE AMENDMENT)

Price: The pads is not expensive (around $3.50-5) and often go on sale at my local grocery store, in the natural food / body section. I’ve seen the price go as low as $2.50 per package.

What I love most about Seventh Generation as a company is how forthcoming they appear; nothing is ever hidden on the female products section of their website. If you have to go with a disposable pad, I think they’re a great choice. The pads come in super and overnight as well. I don’t know about the overnight, but a pal of mine raves about the super.

Total points:

Five out of five for an excellent product. If I was comparing them to reusable pads they’d lose points for being well, not reusable. However, since some people will never change to reusable pads, I decided to rate them purely on product merit as a greener disposable pad, which is how I rated Natracare as well.

Have you used these? What do you think?

AMENDMENT: The statement above about no plastics is incorrect and for that I apologize. If you read the comment section you’ll see that this was pointed out to me. Seventh Generation does use polyolefins in their pads, which I skipped over, or misread the first go-through. Sorry about this. I’m not sure as to the exact type of polyefins used by this company, (there are different types) but am going to try and contact them to find out. Here’s what Greenpeace says about this type of plastic, which they grade second best to bioplastics:

“Polyolefins such as Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) are simpler polymer structures that do not need plasticizers, although they do use additives such as UV and heat stabilizers, antioxidants and in some applications flame retardants. The polyolefins pose fewer risks and have the highest potential for mechanical recycling. Both PE and PP are versatile and cheap, and can be designed to replace almost all PVC applications. PE can be made either hard, or very flexible, without the use of plasticizers. PP is easy to mold and can also be used in a wide range of applications.

In comparison with PVC, PE and PP use fewer problematic additives, have reduced leaching potential in landfills, reduced potential for dioxin formation during burning (provided that brominated/chlorinated flame retardants are not used), and reduced technical problems and costs during recycling.”

This may or may not affect your decision to use these pads – that’s your call. Frankly, as noted when we had extreme green days here, I’m on the side of using reusable pads whenever possible. (Reusable are the next review by the way). If you’re not comfortable with reusable pads or polyolefins; then let me know which pads you like in the comments.

Next up: Reviews of reusable pads.

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• Organic 100% Cotton Tampons with and without applicators – in varying absorbency.
• Natural Panty Liners in 3 styles
• Organic Cotton Feminine Wipes
• Natural Pads with and without Wings

The eco and health perks include:

• 100% certified organic cotton used in products
• Chemical and additive free (including chlorine free)
• Biodegradable
• The barrier part of the pads is made with “Bioplastic” created from plant cellulose.
• Contain only organic and natural ingredients
• Sourced from sound ecologically managed producers
• Recyclable packaging (including tampon wraps)
• Latex free
• Fragrance free

Additionally the company developed a Natracare School Program, aimed at 9 to 17 year olds, that discusses all things female in a healthy way that girls of this age can relate to.

Review:

Organic all cotton tampons, regular absorbency – frankly, a tampon is a tampon. At least so far as I can remember (I did use conventional as a teen). However, staying clear of chemicals and other baddies is a great benefit of this product. Comfort wise – please see a tampon is a tampon argument above – although, I suspect that by not introducing chemicals many women have more comfort with this product as they can avoid exposure to harmful fragrances and pesticides.

Tampons total score:

Five out of five for being a good product that works well from a good company.

Pads - Honestly, I hate Nutracare pads. Size wise they’re fine; slim and comfortable. The biggest issue I have is they aren’t sticky (as in at all). I know that some of the glue-like materials in conventional products are bad for you, so I don’t recommend those, however, I’ve used natural pads that actually are sticky. The last thing you want is a pad somehow flying off your undies and out the public bathroom door (sorry folks, but it’s true).

I’ve used Natural Pads with wings and when I had my son the traditional pads. I used to buy these for trips over conventional, because they were the only organic pads at Wild Oats, but when Seventh Generation (who I’ll review later) came out with their pads, I quit buying Nutracare pads. Seriously, I wish I had one, because I’d make a video of me trying to stick one to a wall – I bet that it wouldn’t stick AT ALL – maybe for a second, but not long.

Pads total score:

One out of five little tree smiles for being better than conventional plus I like the company effort. Coming up, more organic toss away feminine products, also reviews of some reusable options.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[photo via Natracare]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family