Lobby Procter and Gamble to stop using plastic applicators

[RCallway]

Please join me in lobbying Procter and Gamble to stop using unnecessary plastic applicators. Write to:

Bob McDonald - CEO: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

I sent them the following message which you can amend / use if you like:

Dear Bob

I bought Tampax Compak for the first time in a very long time at a shop because I had no alternative options. I was extremely shocked and disappointed to find a plastic, unrecycled, non-degradable applicator. Surely P&C have the skills and global conscience to use a degradable and recycled cardboard applicator - if it has to use one at all?! Using petroleum-based plastic is an extremely backward step - both an anti-green and anti-social choice. I understand some women feel the need to use applicators but please, please, please look at alternative options or save money and the environment and drop the applicator altogether.

Best wishes

plastic ones are pinchy like poking your finger in a mcdonald coke lid except the other way around iykwim.

I don't use tampons at all; I have homemade reusable towels-call me a lentil weaver if ya like

Perhaps us 'pinchy' folk have strange parts. That's exactly how it feels hugo.

I don't get the mooncup love, sounds faffy. I also don't like the plastic applicators, they pinch my delicate fanjo skin. I like tampax with cardboard applicators. Having a period is grim enough without worrying about the polar bears.

Love your letter sparkling and agree re pinching.

Yes thebody, pinching. It's very strange only some of us think so. I need to get my clipboard out in town and do a survey.

Actually I think it is way out of line to question others preference for tampons/towels etc, it's already enough of a pain each month without others judging our individual preferences for something so very personal!

OP now many children do you have out of interest?

*how

Shall those of us with awkward vaginas lobby P&G to not under any circumstances listen to the OP???? ;)

Yes I would join you Rachel, plastic applicators are a necessity to slide well!

I used to get through a super plus tampon every 3 hours or so Sparkling - they need emptying about a third less often than a tampon needs changing.

Do you think we are, how shall I say this, a bit dangly!!!

Queen, have never seen a moon cup and only heard of them through mumsnet.. How do you use/change/wash them?

Plastic applicators are the only ones I can use thanks to scarring and prolapses and various other fun medical things. I try and do my bit for the environment but sod it, periods suck and I'm not a martyr. I use what makes it as simple and fuss free as possible.

Maybe we are thebody. I can't remember exactly what it pinched.

Umm is it just me who can't work out how to use the applicator tampons?

Shall those of us with awkward vaginas lobby P&G to not under any circumstances listen to the OP???? ;)

Dear Proctor and Gambler

We like your plastic applicators cos some of us suffered the indignity of a baby with a big fat head squashing our bits for months and now some of our fanjos resemble a prototype for a curly whirly waterslide. The glidey plastic helps mucho. Ta for that.

We think you should be on the look out for a group of petition brandishing eco warrior yoni shamers. They are the Pious Pussy Pack. Don't listen. Different women have different comfort needs and what pinches them reduces pinch or pain or pissed offness for us. We do not begrudge them personal choice according to their preferences and comfort. However this does not appear mutual, possibly in the name of smuggyknickeritus. None of them have mentioned anything about being against trampolines or paintball, which I think clarifies motivations greatly.

Yours with much love

CarpeVinum and the Morally Repugnant Vagina posse.

At pious pussy pack!

Plastic? Tampons? They'll be pissing themselves laughing at how wasteful early 21st century women were when it came to san pro.

Forget the letter, just don't buy.
And yeah, the plastic did pinch when I tried them (years and years ago).

You just fold them and insert them like you would the applicator for a tampon. They sit a lot lower than a tampon and you really wouldn't know you had it in. You only really need to empty them in the morning and evening, although might need a third emptying on a really heavy day (or more if you're a superplus tampon every hour type of woman but still less than you would need to change a tampon). When it's time to empty it you just squeeze it with a couple of fingers and slide it out then pour the contents down the loo and give it a rinse in the sink. If you're caught short in a public loo with no sink then you can just give it a wipe with some loo roll and pop it back in (I've had to do this once in three years). At the end of your period you can soak it in some sterilising fluid or boil it in water for ten minutes.

Mooncups have lots of plus points that you'd probably never even think of until you try it:

1. If you're feeling a bit crampy like you're about to come on you can just put the mooncup in and not worry about it. I've had nights out where in my tampon days I would have been in and out of the loo because I was convinced I'd just come on but now I just put my mooncup in and forget about it.

2. You can use it right until your period is actually finished rather than switching to pads or whatever for the last dregs.

3. You can use it instead of pantyliners if you suffer from heavy discharge at certain times of the month.

4. You feel a lot cleaner than with tampons because you don't have the string that acts as a wick for blood and urine.

5. A lot of women, including myself, have less painful periods when they use a mooncup over tampons. It must be something to do with tampons irritating your cervix or something.

6. No having to dispose of blood soaked tampons - far more icky than emptying a mooncup.

7. No having to stuff your handbag with spare tampons and smuggling them to the loo.

In my tampon days I used to dread my periods but they barely register with me these days. I really could never go back - I don't know how I'll cope if I ever have a surprise period while I'm out and have to use tampons. I'd definitely try and get some with a plastic applicator though - way better than cardboard :)

Why applicators at all? I used to use a different, non applicator brand because I couldn't get on with applicators.

well I think that really we need periods to come out like a wee - you get an urge to go and then it all comes out in one go - but it has to be painless -why the fuck do we have to have pain - the whole thing is fucking ridiculous.

I am going to lobby the divine creator (whoever he/she is)

ps are miniscule ok if you have prolapses (birth injuries)

Hand on heart Queen would you wear a pair of white linen trousers with only the mooncup for protection?

doh - are mooncups ok if you have prolapses (birth injuries)?