Why switch to Organic Cotton?
We believe our sisters should know what their period products are made from. That’s why we list our ingredients on the pack and why we champion ethical, sustainable certified organic cotton. But what exactly is meant by 100% organic cotton? Well we’re glad you asked…
Unlike mass-produced cotton, which is often riddled with chemicals and guzzles lots of the world’s precious water supplies, organic cotton uses 91% less water and 62% less energy than conventional cotton. Organic cotton farming helps improve the biodiversity of farming communities and can be grown alongside food crops.
&SISTERS organic cotton is sourced according to seasonal availability and comes from a number of different countries, including Tanzania, Turkey, Pakistan and India and grown without the need for chemical fertilisers or pesticides and purified without any chlorine, dioxins, or nasties of any kind!
What makes &SISTERS products different from mainstream brands?
Mainstream brands tend not to list their ingredients, as they’re often made from non-breathable, non-biodegradable manmade or synthetic fibres. Unlike mainstream brands, every &SISTERS product is made with pure, natural, ethically sourced ingredients, and all of our 100% organic cotton is Soil Association certified.
Why is organic cotton a healthier choice?
Organic cotton is naturally soft, pH-neutral, breathable and absorbent. Unlike most commercially grown cotton, our 100% organic cotton is grown without the use of fertilisers, herbicides & pesticides.
Which absorbency is best for me?
Always use the tampon with the lowest absorbency to meet your needs. You might find that it helps to use different absorbency levels throughout your period – most sisters find their flow is heavier during the first few days.
Why is cotton referred to as a 'dirty crop'?
Preserving the planet’s resources is at the heart of our business. We know that non-organic cotton has earned itself a bad reputation as a ‘dirty crop’, so we only use 100% organic cotton, grown and certified to the Global Organic Textile Standards (the gold standard for the sustainable processing of products made from organically grown fibres). We take organic cotton seriously, and our 100% organic cotton is grown without the use of fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides.
What is GOTS certification?
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading governing body for organic textiles like cotton. GOTS certification ensures our cotton is pure, ethically sourced and made without chemical pesticides, forced labour, child labour, or unfair wages.
I've heard mainstream products are bleached using chlorine. Is this bad?
Chlorine bleaching creates a byproduct called dioxin. This poses serious problems for the environment and for our health. Dioxin is a known carcinogen and leaves detectable residuals in products bleached with any type of chlorine bleach. In sanitary and personal care products, this type of bleaching unnecessarily exposes us to low levels of dioxins every time we use period products. Dioxin settles in the fat cells of humans and wildlife, building up cumulatively over time from birth. Given the number of tampons potentially used in a lifetime, increased exposure to dioxin means increased risk. Unlike mainstream period products, &SISTERS is Totally Chlorine Free (TCF). We use an oxygen bleaching process from hydrogen peroxide, which releases no toxins into the environment. Using a water and oxygen process to destroy any bacteria in our organic cotton or pulp, results in a pure white material ready to make tampons, pads and panty liners. Watch out for ‘Chlorine Free’ bleaching too, as some of these ‘Chlorine Free’ methods still include chlorine dioxide. Totally Chlorine Free is a certified method to avoid toxic chemicals and byproducts.
Are your cotton pads, liners and tampons compostable?
Yes! All &SISTERS organic cotton period products are both compostable and biodegradable. Unlike conventional period products which are often made synthetic materials, chemically derived super absorbent polymers and plastics made from crude oil, the &SISTERS organic cotton period range is entirely plastic free and made from plant based materials which are totally biodegradable and compostable. We can each use over 16,000 period products during a lifetime, so living lightly and avoiding sending these to landfill can drastically improve your carbon footprint and go towards helping save the planet.