11 Feminine Hygiene Products Indian Women Should Know About

10. Biodegradable pads & disposal solutions — Reduce environmental impact

Biodegradable pads are designed to break down more quickly than conventional pads, reducing long-term waste, and some brands use plant-based materials for topsheets or packaging. However, true biodegradability depends on disposal conditions; many products require industrial composting to degrade fully, which is not widely available in all Indian municipalities. Community-level disposal solutions and NGO projects have piloted village composting or safe collection systems to manage menstrual waste better, and such models are promising for rural sanitation (Research findings). If you choose biodegradable pads, confirm the manufacturer’s claims and recommended disposal method. Household steps that help include wrapping used pads in paper or the pad’s original wrapper, using sealed bins, and participating in local collection programs where available. Panchayats and urban local bodies can coordinate pilot projects for safer disposal to avoid the common but harmful practice of burying used products observed in some studies (Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 2025).