to think plastic applicators for Tampax are disgraceful and unjustifiable?

[appropriatelytrained]

I sent DH to buy me a pack of tampons recently from the local shop. He came back with Tampax Compak (the only choice).

I'm no green activist, but I was shocked to see non-biodegradable, non-recyclable plastic applicators used for this product.

It seems to me that applicators are generally pretty unnecessary but to make them out of plastic just for convenience and comfort (Tampax's response to my query) makes them an unjustifiable vanity product.

Churning out plastic applicators for no genuine purpose when the company know (despite what they may say) that these products will end up flushed down the toilet, is disgraceful.

Right, I'll get off my soap box. I don't post here usually but I just felt really angered by this when so many companies are trying very hard to change the necessary packaging of their products, this company is producing unnecessary packaging without thought of consequence.

YANBU - but did get some given to me by a friend when at her house - came on early. tbh they were nicer to use. And how do you insert them without an applicator? I am 47 and have never worked that out. But cardboard is fine.

Applicators are unnecessary?

Rather that than I stick my finger up my bleedin fanjo.

Buy yourself a moon cup if you are that environmentally friendly.

YABU

Many women buy these by their own choice. Me included. I prefer them, and will continue to use them.

I use them as I hate the cardboard applicators. The compak ones are a lot easier to use.

But I'm getting a mooncup soon.

YABU I find them much easier to use than the ones either without applicators, and more comfortable than the cardboard ones.

Oh the beaches as littered with these things, it is beyond grim. Took my littlies to Llantwit Major beach in the summer and spent my entire time trying to stop my toddler picking them up, or avoiding sitting on them. They are like some new breed of marine creature. Hate to think what they are doing to the ocean ecosystem

YANBU about the plastic thing I suppose. I never really thought about it. I buy them and use them. I don't see that the plastic ones are any better than the old cardboard ones. I used to buy non-applicator tampons but swtiched when a boy at school went through my bag, pulled one out and ran around showing everyone pretending it was a rocket .

Ring up your local council and see if they can go into your plastic recycling? Other than that just don't buy them.

Ok lets all make our own sanitary products. I will get the loom.

Seriously yabu, some women cant use 'normal applicators', some women cant use towels, some women cant use a mooncup... do you get the picture. Not everyone is the same. And in normal household recycling no you would not be able to put a item with human blood on it (yes only a small amount but even so) that would be akin to disposing needles in the recycling.

YAtotallyNBU!! I am no green fiend but I was totally HORRIFIED when they started producing these! How can they possibly justify such an environmentally unfriendly product? Nothing wrong with the cardboard applicators and the thick plastic unrecyclable tubes smack if vandalism to me. Shame on them for just trying to make a fast buck.

Mooncup!!

Like I said I am no big green but seriously, grown women can't use a tampon without an applicator? How does that happen?

You seriously do not have to stick your finger up your fanjo!!

I'm glad you feel so good for not needing an applicator

Some of us do, deal with it.

It can't be recycled as you say frownie but that is my point - if you really need to use an applicator, why make it plastic?

I don't feel so good - just why does it have to be plastic?

The cardboard ones are nasty. I very nearly turned myself inside out once when removing it.

I don't want to be shot down here but why do some women need rather than prefer to use them. I am being genuine in my inquiry here.

I can see teenagers getting used to tampons might prefer them but I don't understand why there is a need rather than a preference.

And again, if there is a need, why plastic?

That's it really.

yabu

i need and want an applicator

i prefer a plastic applicator

there are lots of other green battles to fight

please don't start picking on women's sanitary protection choices

try the massive amounts of water squandered by water companies through wastage first

Yes - were women not able to use tampons before the invention of plastic applicator?. It didn't seem to be a problem...I'm 33 and 'Compaq' are a relatively new product.

YANBU

I find the cardboard ones hugely uncomfortable, verging on painful. The plastic ones don't cause the same problems.

According to the last nurse who did my smear 'ooh, you do have a bit of a twist up there, ha ha' ( did not begin to describe my expression). I use applicators but yes, would much prefer cardboard not plastic.

its a preference. Unless the people who are so anti this are natural hemp wearing, frugal bin diving, use my old flannels for pads then I wont really take much notice of your annoyance

"Yes - were women not able to use tampons before the invention of plastic applicator?"

Without the applicators I could only use towels.

I have used non-applicator and applicator tampons, I have no real preference. Never thought about the recycling issue, you might have a point.

Although, I am very curious as to how you insert a non-applicator tampon without sticking your finger up there. Does your fanjo come with its own suction feature?

yabu - why are you flushing sanitary products down the toilet when they should be disposed of in a bin?

And am I the only person who thinks non-biodegradeable plastic is preferable to biodegradable? Because when the oil does eventually run out, the plastic will still be in it's original form, ready at the landfill to be dug up and recycled.

I had a double prolapse. Despite surgery things still aren't right. Plastic applicators are the best way to be able to position tampons so they don't hurt when I use them - cardboard ones just don't work as well. There's no way I could use a mooncup and I loathe towels.

Sanpro is the one area in my life where I refuse to scrimp and cut corners. There's plenty of other areas to sort out without attacking women's choices on something as intimate and personal as this. You don't need them? Fine, don't use them.