The first tampons in paper packaging

The Female Company startup launches the first tampon packed in paper instead of plastic film. The organic tampons will be available in dm stores from the beginning of September 2019.

Ann-Sophie Claus and Sinja Stadelmaier, founders of The Female Company in Stuttgart, worked for over twelve months on an alternative to tampon packaging in plastic film. After many unsuccessful attempts to produce a compostable plastic film, they have now succeeded: the organic tampons are packed in paper instead of plastic and, according to the startup, are the first organic tampon in the world to dispense with plastic film. “Sustainability is not always easy – on the contrary. But after many setbacks, we are now all the happier to be able to offer an alternative,” says Ann-Sophie Claus.

The switch to paper packaging could save over 212 tons of plastic a year in Germany alone. The organic tampons will also be launched in brick and mortar retailing. In September 2019 The Female Company will present new tampon packaging in over 900 dm drugstores. The tampons in Mini, Normal and Super sizes are packed in recycled cartons with the label “Does this work for you?”

ADVERTISEMENT

In the consumer goods industry, the requirements are diverse and expectations are high. FachPack is the place that brings together buyers and vendors on a level playing field. More information can be found here. 

Together with its launch at dm-drogerie markt, The Female Company is also launching a new social project in India, where the two founders Anni and Sinja came up with their founding idea for The Female Company in 2016. “In India, a pad costs as much as half a litre of milk,” says Ann-Sophie Claus. Every subscription or package purchased from dm provides a woman in India with a washable cloth pad., which means one year of hygiene, because it can be used for up to twelve months.

For this project, The Female Company joined forces with the Stuttgart fashion label “[eyd] Clothing”. This has the Chaiim Foundation in Mumbai produce the majority of the collections. “The founder told us about the many leftovers. This made us think about using the leftover fabric to make and donate fabric pads,” Ann-Sophie Claus says. The Chaiim Foundation supports women in India who have been liberated from prostitution and violence. They are trained as seamstress, given fair pay, schooling and psychological support to make an independent life.