144 pairs donated to Pad the Mitten, The Detroit Period Project, and I Support the Girls Detroit as of 10/2024
Our Story
When I was nine years old, I attended a summer camp at a local college where I learned about climate change. This was the first time I had ever heard terms like deforestation, global warming, and biodiversity. Since then, I have been passionate about fulfilling my part in the sustainability movement. This activism began on a smaller scale by encouraging my family to recycle and compost, along with advising them to buy fewer products packaged in plastic. However, I was determined to make a bigger impact.
When I got my first period, I noticed how much plastic waste was generated because of it. I became interested in this issue, and learned that nearly 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are disposed each year. I also discovered that it takes 500 to 800 years for these products to decompose, and they can end up in waterways and harm wildlife. Even more, they cannot be recycled due to recycling regulations. I immediately became curious about sustainable alternatives.
When I came to know about the numerous alternatives to single-use menstrual products, I wondered why many people had not yet made the switch. After having conversations with others in my community about the issue, I discovered that they were not aware of it. This is why I became inspired to start EcoFlo with the mission to raise awareness and usage of eco-friendly menstrual products.
​
This is my mission for EcoFlo, and I am so thankful to be able to share it!
-Saanvi Kalia
Vision
EcoFlo is dedicated to contributing to a waste-free Earth. One way to accomplish this is by decreasing the number of pads and tampons that end up in landfills. According to Stanford Magazine, approximately 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons end up in landfills each year in the United States. Even worse, tampon applicators can take up to twenty years to decompose and are a risk to marine life as they can be ingested by animals. By switching to period underwear, you can make an impact by reducing the amount of waste in our landfills and pollution in our waterways.
Donor Recipients
EcoFlo is partnered with Pad the Mitten, an organization based at Michigan State University. Pad the Mitten is a community organization that strives to end period poverty and stigma. They achieve this by donating period products to women's shelters throughout the Greater Lansing Area in Michigan.
EcoFlo is also partnered with the Detroit Period Project, an organization that distributes period products to shelters and schools in the metro-Detroit area. Specifically, the Detroit Period Project distributes products to the Detroit Diaper Bank, WSU Food Pantry, Dearborn Public Schools, Lincoln Park School District, DPCSD Schools, Cass Community District Shelter, and the River Rouge School District.
EcoFlo's third partnership is with I Support the Girls Detroit, an Affiliate chapter of I Support the Girls, non-profit organization. I Support the Girls Detroit distributes period products to Detroit people in crisis, such as low income schools in Detroit and metro area, street outreach, shelters, transitional housing, refugee orgs, LGBTQ+ orgs, and community centers.​
For every pair of period underwear purchased from EcoFlo, we will donate one pair of EcoFlo period underwear to its beneficiaries. In addition, 100% of monetary donations will be put towards to donating EcoFlo period underwear to Pad the Mitten, the Detroit Period Project, and I Support the Girls Detroit.
Our goal is to donate 200 pairs of EcoFlo period underwear by the end of 2024.​
You can learn more about Pad the Mitten by visiting their Instagram or their website.​
Additionally, you can find more information about the Detroit Period Project on their Instagram and their website.​
Discover more about I Support the Girls Detroit on their Instagram.