Embracing A Greener Future With Menstrual Cups
Amit, a schoolteacher in rural Kerala, used to worry about every sharp rustle of plastic in her drawer. Each month, she would unwrap pads in secret, discard the packaging in the night, and cringe seeing her small rubbish heap grow.
Then, when the “Thinkal” initiative offered her a menstrual cup, something shifted. At first, she was uneasy: the silicone felt strange, the idea daunting.
But after three cycles, she whispered that it was “like finding a friend”—one she did not have to hide. The waste was gone; so was a constant monthly cost. The secret felt lighter.
Her story is one of many. Around India and the world, menstrual cups are stepping into view—not just as an alternative, but as a transformation. What once seemed experimental or niche is gaining credence, as sustainability, health, and economic sense converge in support.
Why Menstrual Cups Are Finding Momentum
Environmental Urgency
Millions of tons of disposable menstrual waste pile up each year. Pads and tampons—especially those packaged in plastic, with synthetic fibers or applicators—leave a heavy footprint, from production through to landfill.
Lifecycle studies increasingly show menstrual cups generate far less waste and resource use. Because a good quality cup can last several years, its environmental cost averaged over time becomes far lower than repeated disposables.
Health And Comfort
In many settings, disposable pads or makeshift materials (cloth, rags) lead not just to discomfort, but to infection risks. Research shows cups are as reliable as tampons or pads in stopping leaks and proving safe under hygienic conditions.
Users often report less irritation, better control, fewer changes, and more confidence. Especially where supply chains are unreliable, having a reusable product that does not depend on frequent purchases is empowering.
Economic Benefits
For women like Amit, who might spend a modest sum each month on pads, the cost adds up fast. A menstrual cup is a larger upfront investment, but one that pays off over time. In many parts of India, distributing a cup for free or at subsidised cost can be far more economical for both individuals and public health programs. Reducing dependence on disposables also reduces recurring expenses for families.
Progress In India: Stories From The Field
The Thinkal Project, Kerala
Kerala’s Thinkal initiative is one of the most vivid local success stories. It began in a few villages, distributing menstrual cups free to underprivileged women. Initially, acceptance was low—around 20% in some villages—largely because women were unfamiliar with the product, worried about safety, and unsure how to use it.
But when the program layered in awareness sessions, hands-on education, and community health expert involvement, acceptance soared to 91.5% in those same locales. Public health officials report that for financial year 2025-26, Kerala will distribute 300,000 (three lakh) menstrual cups free of cost under Thinkal to women in all local bodies.
Nashik’s Rural Push
Nashik Zilla Parishad has launched a programme to train ASHA workers and Anganwadi sevikas in safe menstrual cup use, medical-grade silicone quality, and the environmental and health benefits of switching.
The plan is to then take that knowledge into villages, offering cups at subsidised rates. Ashima Mittal, NASIK’s ZP CEO, argues that for about Rs 500 up front, a woman can avoid the recurring cost of 100 pads per year, reduce waste, and reduce her own exposure to infections from less clean alternatives.
Global Examples: Policies Driving Change
In Spain’s Catalonia, from early 2024, reusable menstrual cups, period underwear, and cloth pads will be distributed for free via pharmacies to around 2.5 million menstruating people, including women, girls, non-binary and transgender people.
The program aims to reduce both period poverty and the 9,000 tons of annual waste generated from disposables. Authorities are pairing product distribution with personalised advice.
Meanwhile, a recent AP News story noted that across many countries, women are switching to reusable menstrual products—cups, discs, period underwear—motivated by multiple overlapping benefits: health, environmental impact, and economy.
“I had already been wary of tampons from an environmental perspective … I felt that they were very wasteful and expensive to consistently keep buying,” said one user. These alternatives may cost between $15-$40 upfront, but many people find them well worth the investment over time.
Market Size And Growth: The Fourth Point In Focus
This is where the story becomes as much about numbers as it is about empathy. Recent market studies point to strong growth trajectories for menstrual cups globally.
A report by SNS Insider estimates that the global menstrual cup market, valued at around USD 890 million in 2023, will grow to roughly USD 1.56 billion by 2032.
In multiple forecasts, market growth is driven especially in Asia-Pacific and developing regions, where disposal infrastructure is weak and awareness is rising. Subsidies, policy support, and NGO programmes are contributing to expansion.
Importantly, the economic pressure rising across many countries—due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and increasing pricing of imports—is pushing both consumers and governments to seek reusable, durable products rather than monthly disposables.
These figures are not vague projections—it is evidence that for many, menstrual cups are no longer “alternative”; they are becoming integrated into health policy, public programmes, and daily life.
Remaining Hurdles: What Needs To Change
Even with momentum, several key challenges remain before the greener future becomes universal.
- Comfort and learning curve: Many first-time users struggle with insertion, removal, leaks, and sizing. Without guidance (from health workers, peer groups, or accessible instruction), some give up after early tries.
- Sanitation infrastructure: Using and cleaning a cup safely requires access to clean water, privacy, and sterilisation tools.
- Cultural and social stigma: Menstruation remains deeply stigmatized in many societies. Using a cup involves touching bodily fluid, which may be taboo.
- Regulation and safety assurance: Ensuring cups are made from medical-grade materials and priced fairly is critical.
- Affordability and access: Upfront costs remain a barrier for many, which is why government and NGO programs play a crucial role.
Looking Ahead: Hope In Action
If you imagine a map of the world five years from now, where efforts succeed, you will see villages in India and Africa where menstrual cups are part of school health kits, taught in health classes, and stocked in community health centers.
Pharmacies in Europe will function as hubs of reusable product distribution, with free pick-ups or subsidy cards. Policies worldwide may eliminate taxes on menstrual health products, aiming for menstrual equity.
Innovations in design are also expected—cups that are easier to insert, softer, foldable in new ways, and tailored to different anatomies. When these things arrive, the change will feel both subtle and transformative: fewer discarded wrappers in landfills, fewer skipped school days, and more dignity and choice.
Conclusion
Back in her home in Kerala, Amit holds her menstrual cup in her palm. It is small, simple, and translucent. She smiles, thinking how different her mornings are: no more lining plastic with cloths, no more worry when washing the cup under a small tap.
There are still friends who have tried once and given up. But every time someone talks about it openly, shows others what it looks like, and helps someone get through the first tricky cycle—another seed is planted.
In a world stretched by environmental strain, cost pressures, and health inequalities, menstrual cups offer more than a product. They offer choice, resilience, and dignity. They are tools in a wider revolution—of how we understand menstrual health, how we spread respect, and how we care for both people and planet.
For thousands of Amit’s around India and millions more everywhere, this greener future feels possible because it is being built—one cup, one cycle, one person at a time.
