To be annoyed that Sainsbury's will no longer sell plastic applicator tampons?

[caddywally]

It's not a massive issue at the moment because I can buy them elsewhere, but if other shops follow suit I'm going to be condemned to a life of using pads because I don't get on with non-applicator or cardboard applicator tampons. I can't use menstrual cups, either.

I understand the problem with plastic but don't see why women who rely on plastic applicator tampons should suffer when there is excess plastic everywhere. I already live a fairly eco-friendly life - no car, 1 holiday in the past 10 years, rarely eat meat, most of the stuff I own is second hand (mainly for financial reasons than anything else, admittedly) - and I don't see why I should have miserable periods when there are people whose lifestyles are much worse for the environment than mine. I also don't flush sanitary products down the toilet, which I assumed was common sense. I probably am being unreasonable and should just suck it up for the sake of environment!

It seems odd that people think other products are also not being targeted in terms of reducing excess plastic. Look at Waitrose's latest pilot to do just that, for example. It has been successful and so is being rolled out to more stores. Once they do it, other supermarkets will have to follow if they want to compete.

Those who have the chance should also be changing their habits accordingly and voting with their wallets to force supermarkets to change. If, for example, as I do, you walk past a grocer's on your way to/from the supermarket that sells fruit and veg in cardboard containers or paper bags instead of plastic ones, then why wouldn't you buy your fruit and veg there instead? We all have to make an effort.

@Angelil

I don't want to get into massive detail about what will and will not fit into my vagina, but a moon cup wouldn't. I'd be happy to try the reusable applicator mentioned on here, but the moon cup wouldn't work for me - please don't assume you know my vagina better than I do.

If people use plastic applicators for "medical reasons," what did people do before plastic tampon applicators were invented? Or even tampons were invented?

Before tampons, women just used pads, either disposable or washable. However, I’m also wandering what women who needed plastic applicators for medical reasons did before plastic applicators were introduced as this must have happened fairly recently. No idea if they were introduced for women with unusual anatomy or originally just as a marketing ploy.

@Crybabyghoul
I think they should be available on prescription to those who genuinely require them (namely, the disabled). Apart from that, yes, pretty much. Think I read the other day that 8 million disposable nappies are sent to landfill every day. I'm not prepared to be part of that - and frankly there are plenty of people with a selfish 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude that sickens me.

@caddywally I only mentioned it as you said you hadn't tried it but forgive me if I misunderstood.

Good god there are an awful lot of women sitting in ivory towers having a pop at op.

Very very few of us were aware of the extent/problem of single use plastic a few years ago so the sanctimonious "I'm perfect; you're awful" preaching is a bit rich.

She didn't say "fuck the planet I want my preferred tampons", she was just gently moaning that the one type she found comfortable to use were being stopped. I'm sure she is more than aware other types exist.

Cardboard applicators are so much better - the plastic ones pinch! I can't get on with non applicator ones and Lil Lets gave me thrush when I tried them so Tampax cardboard are the only ones I can get on with.

@Angelil

I agree to an extent however I think it's pretty tricky for medical professionals to decide who 'needs' these items. Same with disposable sanitary products. I'm not 'disabled' but at the moment the ones with plastic applicators are the only tampons that work for me without causing pain. I'd love a more Eco friendly option but being a student I can't afford upwards of £50 in one go to buy everything I would currently need.

I personally think more needs to be done to see if there's a way these things COULD be recycled. Surely they could come up with something.

I expect the director or whatever of Sainsbury's is male

Why would they necessarily be male? The majority of women can use non-applicator or cardboard applicator tampons with no problems. I didn’t know till today that some women need plastic applicators. I have a feeling it may have been a man who developed the plastic applicator in the first place.

I’m not going to RTFT. 14 pages on whether an unnecessary plastic item should be sold?
YABVU.
There are other options. Climate change and environmental destruction is going to be catastrophic if we don’t act drastically now.

ToTryThis doing the internet equivilent of la la la and putting their fingers in their ears like a petulant child.

Something 'unnecessary' to some people is not unnecessary to others. I'm shocked that there are adults on this thread that can't seem to comprehend that. Fridges were 'unneccesary' before they were invented but everyone has one. And they are impossible to dispose of.

If it helps people to understand the advantages of plastic. I have significant back issues so the act of insertion can be problematic. If I use a cardboard applicator they often get jammed and don't smothly insert. Not sure why that is. If I have to stay in awkward position to fiddle with cardboard applicator then back pain can get problematic. Pearl applicators are smooth and quick which means my back does not get contorted. I need to wear tampons for swimming otherwise I would stick with pads. Almost menopausal now so won't be a problem for long but thought it might help some of you understand why sometimes plastic is easier.

Get ride of men disposable razors before a tampon!! Yet another sign this is a mans fucking world!! Anyone saying it's better for environment, there is a million other things that could be done first!! But know it's the women that have to suffer.

Typical that they target products that are only important for women first

Of course. In fact one of the reasons I left WEN (I was a member many years ago - womens' environmetnal network) was because they were obsessed with reusable nappies and sanpro. They said it was because they were things that women could influence but it didn't cut any ice with me. Periods are bad enough for a lot of women without making them feel guilty about their choice of protection (which may not be a choice, it may be the only thing that doesn't leak).

OP you are not being unreasonable. In your shoes I would stockpile a few of the ones you like.

Gynaecologist recommended a splodge of water based lube on tampons after DS if it was uncomfortable - perhaps try that. You could always decant a little into a small tub.

8 million disposable nappies are sent to landfill every day

Maybe but only 3% of all waste comes from consumers. I think industry should put its house in order first.

Also - they don't all go to landfill. In Hampshire for example they are incinerated with other non-recyclable rubbish to generate electricity.

Does the pp use washable flannels to wipe her bottom too, or is it only parents of kids who have to deal with human waste in an inconvenient way?

Everyone needs to make small (and big) changes but nappies and sanpro are not the main culprits at all.

The plastic ones annoy me as you can’t flush them, much prefer cardboard

It should be a woman's goddamn RIGHT to use whatever fucking sanpro she wants and needs. And if that involves plastic applicators, so be it. Go after other shit before removing women's comfort. Or better yet, go after plastic shit that benefits men first. But leave our sanpro choices alone.

I say this as an evangelical mooncup user, for environmental reasons.

Why do you need an applicator? They add to discomfort and are bulky, sorry but go back to basics and just use your finger to insert; less waste and quicker and cheaper in cost.

I would like to see all the pointless sales promotions with plastic tat banned (eg M&S - and also Boot which has a free bottle promotion at the moment).

Just give consumers money off. We do not need pointless "freebies".

I do think the Bodyform tins are pointless tat, too.

But items needed for a medical issue are not pointless tat.

HelenaDove I've got overactive bladder, I wear Tena pull ups. I would love to see somebody who is demanding that we wear washable pads washing at least 6 pads per day every day, not just one week in four. Think of how many pads that would be needed & how much they cost & bearing in mind that a lot of users are disabled like me & how much washing that would create.

The plastic ones annoy me as you can’t flush them, much prefer cardboard

I hope you don't flush cardboard either. The only thing that should go down the loo is human waste and loo roll.

@Nat6999 it's clear from this thread that people on here are self-righteous and can't be arsed considering that other people have complications they're too closed minded to understand.

It’s telling that the majority of single use plastics that are being targeted are related to hygiene and quality of life (straws, tampons, cotton buds). It’s like people are being punished for the fact that they aren’t willing to sacrifice their quality of life for the environment. It’s wrong to ban plastics in the areas where they do the most good while continuing to use them for completely useless things like wrapping veg and making plastic tat for the insides of kinder eggs etc. You’d almost think whoever was making decisions wanted plastic bans to fail.