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Original poster

Lobby Procter and Gamble to stop using plastic applicators

135 replies

RCallway · 16/05/2013 09:51

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

OP posts:
ShellyBoobs · 16/05/2013 22:17

YABVU

Cuddlydragon · 16/05/2013 22:29

Agree the plastic is so much more comfortable - didn't know it wasnt recycled plastic though - I expect they could use recycled stuff. If it went back to ardboard, I'd change brand to one which did use plastic - Cardboard hurts!

whois · 16/05/2013 23:44

Cardboard ones are average. Plastic ones lovely. Don't particularly see the problem if you put them in the bin where they belong and not down the toilet. World is full of plastic, I'd rather cut down on food packaging than make shoving a tampon up my bleeding vaj harder.

RachelHRD · 16/05/2013 23:49

Grin @ CarpeVinum

Where do I sign...... Wink

RachelHRD@morallyrepugnantvaginaposseHQ

TheChaoGoesMu · 17/05/2013 00:37

Gross. Mooncups are the way forward. All those horrible little plastic applicators that so many people use and you cant even recycle them. Vile.

TheChaoGoesMu · 17/05/2013 00:41

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

i'm not Queen, but am answering anyway. Yes, mooncups are far safer than tampons if you want to go out dressed in white linen trousers. Without a doubt.

ifancyashandy · 17/05/2013 00:41

Umm... Those of you who like the plastic cos it's less hurry on your wonderful, baby-delivering Fanjos, can't you try non-applicator tampons?

I can't be doing with the applicator at all. 'Bullets' all the way for me.

MyShoofly · 17/05/2013 00:46

No applicator is awful....do we all have the cleanest hands and nails to be pushing those things where the sun don't shine when out and about? Cardboard ones doesn't glide.

Sorry OP....There are some things I don't wish to do without.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 17/05/2013 00:46

Plastic applicator ones are the

ifancyashandy · 17/05/2013 00:48

Oh. I like non-applicator Blush. Can properly position. And can properly wash my hands too

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 17/05/2013 00:50

only sort I've been able to use for the last 10 years due to multiple prolapses following forceps delivery. Mooncup leaked badly due to these and was a waste of money. However I only use about 2 tampons a year because I have the Mirena coil and virtually non existent periods so I don't feel in the least bit guilty about using plastic applicators.

SeeBoobies · 17/05/2013 01:25

Plastic are so much easier to use. What's this pinching nonsense? What on earth are you ladies doing wrong?

musicmadness · 17/05/2013 02:27

I use a meluna cup 95% of the time but as my periods seem to follow a completely random cycle I have to carry sanpro with me at all times and tampons are much easier to have in my bag.
They are brilliant if I come on when I'm out until I can get home and sort the cup out, and Plastic Applicators are far more comfortable to use! I can't use non-applicator ones despite regularly using a cup and cardboard is not nearly as convenient.
I only use them a couple of times a year but I definitely wouldn't want them disappearing from sale!

Anthracite · 17/05/2013 04:16

I wish people, like the OP, could be more educated about plastics.

Where does she think plastics come from? We do not drill oil with the primary purpose of making plastics. We drll oil to provide fuel. The heavier oil fractions are poor fuels so they are cracked into more useful fractions. The byproducts, alkenes, are not useful for fuels but are ideal at turning into polymers - a virtually free raw material for an amazing array of useful products.

What would the OP propose to do with these alkenes other than making plastics?

TheRealFellatio · 17/05/2013 05:32

Nope. The plastic ones are so much easier and less painful to use - I love them.

I am all for cutting down on wastage and unnecessary production/use of plastic and paper in this world, but this is one of the uses I feel I can justify.

OverAndAbove · 17/05/2013 05:46

Not in the mood to be made to feel guilty about what I stick up my fanjo out of necessity. In all senses Smile

QueenStromba · 17/05/2013 10:03

I have a white linen skirt and it wouldn't even occur to me that I shouldn't wear it during my period Sparkling.

littlemonkeychops · 17/05/2013 10:06

I don't see the point in plastic or cardboard, neither is necessary IMO, both are just extra waste so i wouldn't buy either

Iwantmybed · 17/05/2013 10:19

DH works in the plastics industry. Please continue to use the plastic.

(Prefer a mooncup myself, hate tampons)

livinginwonderland · 17/05/2013 10:36

can't stand applicator tampons - regular lillets for me.

CheesyPoofs · 17/05/2013 10:57

I'm a lillet user too.

I don't see the point in applicators at all.

What's wrong with your finger?

BramshawHill · 17/05/2013 11:40

I must have stubby little fingers because I need the applicator to reach a point where I can't feel the tampon plus it stops the terrible, terrible chafing on the way. If applicators were discontinued I'd have to rely on pads (gross) or venture into the world of mooncups which scares me

BramshawHill · 17/05/2013 11:40

I must have stubby little fingers because I need the applicator to reach a point where I can't feel the tampon plus it stops the terrible, terrible chafing on the way. If applicators were discontinued I'd have to rely on pads (gross) or venture into the world of mooncups which scares me

HorryIsUpduffed · 17/05/2013 12:44

I'd rather P&G and others used the finite resource to make medical equipment (etc) that can't be made of cardboard, (eg cannulas, IV bags) than tampon applicators, so I see the OP's point.

On a related note, I haven't seen tampons for light flow for years. I can see 3 or 4 teardrop ones everywhere but I swear they used to do 2 and even 1. My flow is so light I can't use a cotton mouse at all.

Tip for non-applicator though (slightly gross). Use lube to grease the sides slightly, to aid insertion. Only the tip makes contact with the blood, and it absorbs downwards.

FitzgeraldProtagonist · 17/05/2013 13:48

I love tampax pearl. Glidy, non pinchy, do an ultra light version. YABU.