Remember when it was ‘that time of the month’ and you dreaded the lumpy sanitary pad which left you constantly stressed about staining your pants? Well, the world has moved on from all thing chunky to all things sleek, pads included, but it’s still uncomfortable, causes rashes, leaks and leaves you stressed for the week.

The biggest problem of the now long sleek pads, with extra absorbents and what-not, is the volume of garbage they generate. This, in addition to being expensive and uncomfortable. There is no safe way to dispose of these pads and tampons. They clog drain pipes, pollute the soil they are dumped in and the air if they are burnt.

They are also extremely unhygienic to be picked up and transported and exposes waste pickers to infections and gore. Even those pads that claim to be eco-friendly are often not so. Ask yourself this. Would you attempt to compost your used pad in your backyard? If you turned up your nose in disgust, then you know that even if most of the pad is compostable, it’s not easy and is unpleasant. The only way out is to not use them. You read right.

But then, what do you do instead? Well, as surprising as it may seem, there are some well-kept secrets that will make your ‘time of the month’ a breeze.

Green the Red is a campaign with an aim to spread awareness about sustainable menstruation alternatives—menstrual cups and cloth pads.

Menstrual cups are the industry’s best kept secret. It’s a medical-grade silicone cup that has been around for decades and yet, you probably haven’t seen or used one. Cloth pads too!

Wait, before you think I’m a hippy suggesting you go back to what your grandmother was liberated from, hear me out. Cloth pads made in this day and age are super comfortable, soft, and colourful; not dirty rags that have to be hidden away. Look them up if you don’t believe me.

Green the Red is the first of its kind, a campaign that is bringing to the people an awareness of alternatives that are trash free, rash free and cash free. This campaign will take you to a world where floral smelling pads wrapped in fluorescent green are replaced by green alternatives that will make for active days and comfortable nights.

Menstrual cups and cloth pads can be used and re-used for many years, they are inexpensive, and extremely comfortable. Cloth pads do not cause rashes, and the cup allows you to do any activity under the sun without worrying about leaks and stains.

This campaign will see write-ups from women—doctors, athletes, entrepreneurs, students—which will be eye opening as they inform, bust myths, share experience and provide tips for first time users.

On the occasion of women’s day, over a period of 10 days (March 1–10), the campaign will conduct 100 sessions on awareness around sustainable menstruation across cities. Armed with cloth pads, menstrual cups and informative videos, the team has their eyes set on tech parks, smaller workplaces, schools, colleges, women communities, etc. to reach out to and transform as many as possible.

Ladies, empower yourselves. Watch this space to learn more. Make the switch. Spread the word. Men, tell the women in your life about these amazing options. Let’s together green the red!