Eileen Greene is a true sustainability pioneer. Driven by her passion for environmental issues, she joined Mooncup Ltd in 2004. As one of the founding members of the team she has contributed to the success of the world’s first silicone menstrual cup and the positive shift in the conversation around periods and re-usable products.
In 2014, Eileen was appointed a director of Mooncup Ltd after the company’s formal move into employee ownership. Today, the Mooncup® is available in over 50 countries around the world so Eileen’s degree in Modern Languages and extensive travel on 5 continents has come in handy. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and walking out in the wilds. On the occasion of Mooncup’s 20th anniversary, we had a conversation with her about the brand’s journey and the evolution of the menstruation concept.
How did you come up with the idea of creating the first silicone menstrual cup?
I first heard about reusable menstrual cups in 1999. Menstrual cups have actually existed since 1930s, but the early cups were made of tough rubber, hard to come by and strictly for the adventurous. The Mooncup menstrual cup was born of a desire to drastically reduce the waste produced by throwaway sanitary products. This was now twenty years ago in 2002. Since then, of course, the Mooncup® secret has spread like wildfire, and the menstrual cup has moved from a ‘hippy’ alternative to the go-to period product.
«We had to forge a third category on menstrual product aisles: reusables!»
From 2002 to the current day, how do you describe this journey?
When we started, the “sanitary product” industry was monopolised by multinationals and their disposable tampons and pads. We had to forge a third category on menstrual product aisles: reusables! However, we did have our work cut out to help shift the conversation around periods. The conversation was then heavily influenced by the shame, secrecy or embarrassment of old-school feminine hygiene advertising. Our early work was all about gradually chipping away at the period taboo, playfully challenging the ‘yuck’ factor, and raising awareness of the environmental and health issues with conventional disposables. We worked so people could make an informed choice about their period products.
Thankfully, over the years, the realities of climate change, interest in health and wellbeing, and a questioning of our consumer habits have all become more mainstream. The spell of the period taboo has been shaken up. And so has the idea that we only have one option: to spend money every month on throwaway period products.
Why is the menstrual cup a ‘period game changer’?
In short, the Mooncup is better for you AND the planet! By switching to a reusable Mooncup® you’ll be making a huge positive impact on the environment as well as supporting a small ethical business. You only need one Mooncup and then you’re covered for both light and heavy days.
«Our early work was all about gradually chipping away at the period taboo and raising awareness of the environmental and health issues with conventional disposables»
The Mooncup is super comfy too! It’s made from soft, medical-grade silicone and is so comfortable, some say you can even forget you’re on your period. It holds three times more blood than a regular tampon, so it gives you longer lasting protection on heavier days. And because Mooncup is non-absorbent, it won’t dry you out or leave fibres where you don’t want them, like a tampon does. The Mooncup is also a real money-saver. No more stockpiling different absorbency pads or tampons! The Mooncup pays for itself after 6-8 months.
Are we aware of the amount of waste generated by conventional hygiene products?
A recent survey by the eco non-profit City to Sea revealed that 64% of women in the UK were unaware that disposable tampons and pads contain a significant amount of plastic in the products themselves – that’s beyond the visible plastics of wrappers, backing strips and applicators. Education is the key. This is why we at Mooncup are investing in comprehensive period education resources, which are available for any teachers in primary and secondary schools.
What should we consider when choosing a menstrual cup? What are the guarantees of organic certification?
Silicone menstrual cups actually can’t be organic as organic matter is made up of carbon. Therefore, it is impossible to have an ‘organic’ silicone menstrual cup. When choosing a menstrual cup, it is important to remember that this is a product that will be worn internally so it’s advisable to pick a high quality cup. If a price feels too good to be true, chances are the cup will be low in quality.
«Education is the key. This is why we at Mooncup are investing in comprehensive period education resources»
We at Mooncup have 20 years of experience in perfecting a period cup that works for most women. We’re very proud to say that over 90% of our customers recommend the Mooncup to family and friends.
With sustainable menstrual product options, will menstruation no longer be taboo?
We would like to think that the spell of the period taboo has at least been shaken up and we have played our part in it. Reusable period products have really paved the way for the change in conversation about periods. We didn’t have a choice really. For women to make an active choice over which period products to use, we needed to talk about periods openly.
«Reusable period products have really paved the way for the change in conversation about periods»
However, we know that period poverty still exists. While periods are a natural process, poverty and stigma still have a huge impact on young people’s education. We’re working together with charities and governments towards the goal to eradicate period poverty – and smashing the taboo as we go.
Author: Ariadna Coma, Journalist
Subscribe at our Newsletter and be up to date with the latest news from the Organic Sector
Bio Eco Actual, International Organic Newspaper
Read Bio Eco Actual
