Question about tampon applicator disposal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually flushed tampons themselves for several years because I genuinely didn’t realize you weren’t supposed to flush them for some reason.

But flushing plastic applicators and wrappers?? That’s straight up flushing garbage. And how is it easier?? The trash is right there!

Yup, same. I blame the fact that my mom didn't teach me how to use tampons, I had to basically figure it out myself. It never occurred to me to wrap it up and throw it away. It's embarrassing how long I did that for.

[Anonymous]

Reading back through some of these responses, I am kind of feeling a collective sadness for us. Everyone is saying "You're a moron" or "you're selfish" but I see so many people, including me, who clearly just never got a very good education in how to dispose of tampons. I also think when I was growing up (the 80s), there was so much shame/embarrassment around menstruating, and that a lot of women learned to flush tampons and applicators because of that shame. It's the least messy way, and the evidence just disappears. I am thinking back to my teenage self, and how so much of my goal around my period was simply to prevent anyone from knowing I was on it. I remember boys were so actively hostile about menstruating, and even older girls and women had internalized that and were mostly quite negative or even critical about it.

I stopped flushing tampons a while back (basically as soon as I learned you aren't supposed to, but I had to have it spelled out for me because I really didn't know -- glad I found out before I became a homeowner!) but a few years ago a younger friend was lobbying me hard to both give up plastic applicators and to try a cup. I get where she was coming from. I know the applicators are terrible for the environment, and I think the cup makes a ton of sense. But frankly, I'm too old to switch. You use one product for decades and then everyone decides it's terrible. I'm glad it's better for young women now, and I hope more women are getting a better education about how to use sanitary products and what the alternatives are. But those of us who came of age before... we need a little grace. We aren't dumb or selfish, we just had TERRIBLE sex ed and were buried in misogyny for most of our adolescences.

[Anonymous]

What about cat poo with small amounts of gravel litter?

[Anonymous]

Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

This is gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

Well, I think the menstrual cups are super gross especially if you are not at home and have no real way to clean them. So there it that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

Well, I think the menstrual cups are super gross especially if you are not at home and have no real way to clean them. So there it that.

Most women feel that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading back through some of these responses, I am kind of feeling a collective sadness for us. Everyone is saying "You're a moron" or "you're selfish" but I see so many people, including me, who clearly just never got a very good education in how to dispose of tampons. I also think when I was growing up (the 80s), there was so much shame/embarrassment around menstruating, and that a lot of women learned to flush tampons and applicators because of that shame. It's the least messy way, and the evidence just disappears. I am thinking back to my teenage self, and how so much of my goal around my period was simply to prevent anyone from knowing I was on it. I remember boys were so actively hostile about menstruating, and even older girls and women had internalized that and were mostly quite negative or even critical about it.

I stopped flushing tampons a while back (basically as soon as I learned you aren't supposed to, but I had to have it spelled out for me because I really didn't know -- glad I found out before I became a homeowner!) but a few years ago a younger friend was lobbying me hard to both give up plastic applicators and to try a cup. I get where she was coming from. I know the applicators are terrible for the environment, and I think the cup makes a ton of sense. But frankly, I'm too old to switch. You use one product for decades and then everyone decides it's terrible. I'm glad it's better for young women now, and I hope more women are getting a better education about how to use sanitary products and what the alternatives are. But those of us who came of age before... we need a little grace. We aren't dumb or selfish, we just had TERRIBLE sex ed and were buried in misogyny for most of our adolescences.

Sorry, but I think you ARE "dumb" and selfish for acknowledging that plastic tampon applicators are terrible for the environment, but then claiming you are too old to change. This is idiotic, dismissive drivel: "You use one product for decades and then everyone decides it's terrible." It sounds as if you are likening plastic tampon applicators with something harmless and trivial, like a fashion for floral Laura Ashley dresses that "everyone" decides is "terrible" at one point, but which never really hurt anybody/thing.

You know the plastic tampon applicators are terrible for the environment. You don't want to use a cup? Fine. Why not use OB tampons or buy a re-usable applicator, or cardboard applicators? You are so selfish for insisting on the plastic, just because you don't want to get your finger near your own vagina. It is truly obscene. Saying you are too old to change and then blithely continuing as you were is disgusting.

[Anonymous]

I truly do not understand the insistence on plastic applicators, or any applicators.

I just bought a box of tampons today. They have no applicators, and the majority of tampons on the shelves also had no applicators. This is normal in my country (Western Europe). Many, many women of all ages use tampons here with no applicators and no problems, so I can't understand why people on this thread are insisting they are necessary. Why? And even if you must use an applicator, why can't you use cardboard?

[Anonymous]

If you all think tampon applicators are bad, you should know that some people think it's okay to flush disposable diapers.

In any event, the OP is asking a question because she genuinely does not know. We should be applauding her desire to learn and do better, not insulting her for not knowing. Responding to honest questions by shaming people for not already knowing just discourages people from asking (and makes you look like a jerk).

Now you know, OP. Good on you for asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I truly do not understand the insistence on plastic applicators, or any applicators.

I just bought a box of tampons today. They have no applicators, and the majority of tampons on the shelves also had no applicators. This is normal in my country (Western Europe). Many, many women of all ages use tampons here with no applicators and no problems, so I can't understand why people on this thread are insisting they are necessary. Why? And even if you must use an applicator, why can't you use cardboard?

Ha, that's true. I lived in Mexico for a year, and the tampons there didn't come with applicators. It's definitely less wasteful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I truly do not understand the insistence on plastic applicators, or any applicators.

I just bought a box of tampons today. They have no applicators, and the majority of tampons on the shelves also had no applicators. This is normal in my country (Western Europe). Many, many women of all ages use tampons here with no applicators and no problems, so I can't understand why people on this thread are insisting they are necessary. Why? And even if you must use an applicator, why can't you use cardboard?

Good question. I bet it has to do with the puritanical nature of American culture in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I truly do not understand the insistence on plastic applicators, or any applicators.

I just bought a box of tampons today. They have no applicators, and the majority of tampons on the shelves also had no applicators. This is normal in my country (Western Europe). Many, many women of all ages use tampons here with no applicators and no problems, so I can't understand why people on this thread are insisting they are necessary. Why? And even if you must use an applicator, why can't you use cardboard?

This is very me-specific, but I have very short fingers and a high cervix and have always struggled without an applicator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

Well, I think the menstrual cups are super gross especially if you are not at home and have no real way to clean them. So there it that.

You can wear them for up to 12 hours. So you just clean them once you get home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone needs to stop using tampon applicators. So wasteful, bad for the environment, and honestly it is messy and gross to put it in the trash can and it is an obvious non-option to flush them.

Invest a little money and time to learn how to use a menstrual cup. I kick myself for waiting for so long to try. No messy applicators to dispose of, no wrappers, no trash, and no extra product that you do not need. It is much easier than you think, less work than tampons, and works better. For that extra peace of mind, also invest in a set of the special period underwear to wear with it and you are good to go.

Well, I think the menstrual cups are super gross especially if you are not at home and have no real way to clean them. So there it that.

You can wear them for up to 12 hours. So you just clean them once you get home.

No thanks. All the leakage!