Published: 05 March 2021
People who have periods will keep tampons hidden meticulously: being stranded without period products means uncomfortably, embarrassment, and ruined clothes. For people in Mexico City who use tampons with plastic applicators, however, they no longer have the option to hide them. They don’t even have the option to buy and use them.
Mexico’s population of 126 million produces 6,000 tons of plastic waste yearly. To minimize their impact on the planet, Mexico City passed legislation banning single-use plastic in 2019. As of Jan. 1, the commercialization, distribution, and delivery of plastic products are now illegal. The law is now impacting those who menstruate and rely on tampons with plastic applicators.