Essex business woman reduces landfill waste with game-changing reusable period products
Next week is Environmenstrual Week, a week of action-calling for healthy, eco-friendly period products for all. At Love Essex, we want to encourage and support people to consider all the options when they choose their period products. The Love Your Period campaign aims to increase the visibility of reusable options and support Essex residents to make a positive change, not only for the environment but also for their health.
As part of this week, we want to celebrate the achievement of Essex resident Lauren Derrett. Lauren founded her reusable period pad company Wear ‘em Out back in 2020 and little did she know how much of an impact her business would have on disposable period waste in Essex and beyond.
After 4 successful years, Lauren has decided to close the business. We spoke to Lauren about all her achievements through Wear ‘em Out.
Hi Lauren, Can you share your personal journey with periods and how it influenced your decision to create these products?
I have always had pretty healthy periods, a regular 28 days cycle, no dramas. Around age 40 I was introduced to the idea of reusable menstrual products and how they were better for not only our environment but also our hormonal health. I gave them a go, I didn't hate them but knew there was a better way of designing them, and bringing the much-needed conversation into the mainstream, so I created Wear 'em Out.
What challenges did you face when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
Starting a business is a challenge in itself but add in the topic of periods and the push back against sustainable living and it created an extra challenge. I overcame much of it by showing up for my audience without judgement or shame, making these often taboo topics accessible and easy to digest with bite size pieces of information and always leaving the door open for questions and conversations.
Can you tell us about your reusable period products and how they work? What are the questions you always get asked about them?
Our pads are produced in the UK and made of breathable fabrics with double-binding edges. These edges block leaks, while the breathable fabrics allow moisture to evaporate. The less moisture, the less bacteria. And as it’s bacteria that causes odour, there’s no need for perfumes or harmful chemicals. We get asked a lot 'do they leak', 'do they smell', 'how do you clean them'. I'm always answering them on my social media, judging by our sales I do manage to ease or eradicate their concerns.
What impact has your business had on the amount of waste going to landfill, period pad users’ health and their perceptions of periods?
Since our launch in 2020 we have received reviews almost daily from our customers telling us how Wear 'em Out has changed their periods in a positive way, our Trustpilot reflects this and has 5* from over 1K of reviews. It has also opened so many conversations between people therefore reducing shame and stigma that is often attached to periods. In a larger more environmental way, Wear 'em Out reusable pads have saved a potential 6+Million disposable products from hitting landfill, or worse still, landing on our beaches. Alongside that we are part of the Ecologi Scheme and as part of this scheme we've funded 765 trees, avoided 53.16 tCO2e and funded 40 ecology projects, one being 'Repairing water boreholes in Eritrea' - This project supplies the local community with a source of clean, safe, drinking water. So overall I think the legacy Wear 'em Out leaves is a hugely positive one for people and planet
What feedback have you received from customers about your reusable period products?
Here is just one of our many 5* reviews from Trustpilot 'I am a repeat customer.
‘They are a completely different experience from any other external sanitary product. They feel super soft, even after continual washing, they are secure, never moving or spinning around. They absorb like magic, reducing risk of irritation and smells, with no chemical nasties. Really easy to look after and store with amazing customer support. Every time I peg them out on my line I know I have saved another sanitary product from landfill. The decision to use these pads has never felt like a compromise.'
Celebrating success
We think what Lauren has achieved is incredible, not only as a business owner but also how the products have encouraged people to make the switch to reusables, help the environment and reduce waste.
Wear Em Out is set to close later this year, but you still have time to check out the closing down sale to grab yourself some reusable period products.