Sustainability, menstrual products and sphagnum moss : an investigation

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development has become widely adopted as a management objective in New Zealand. Its application to industrial situations is often problematic, since industrial production is based upon objectives that are not always compatible with sustainability. For example, there are a number of environmental problems associated with the commercial manufacture of sanitary products. In this report, a product that may overcome many of these problems is investigated. The study explores the feasibility of commercially producing a sphagnum moss menstrual product in New Zealand.

Despite uncertainty, findings suggest that the production of a sphagnum moss menstrual pad is provisionally workable with regards to ecological sustainability, meeting the needs of women, and technical capability. However, a number of restrictive institutional structures are identified, that make the development of a sustainable menstrual product industry in New Zealand unlikely. Legal and economic structures are found to operate in such a way so as to effectively prevent newcomers to the industry, especially if small. The contradictions that these structures provide for sustainable development is discussed.