At Daye, we believe in making an impact, not a trace. That’s why we’re committed to making our products and services as environmentally friendly as possible. Sustainability language and practices can be confusing and misleading, so we’re here to lay out exactly what’s going on behind the scenes at Daye, to bring you a more eco-friendly period. 

What does sustainability look like at Daye?

We invest heavily in research and development to find more sustainable solutions for both our business and your period. It’s an ongoing, evolving process — but for now, our sustainability efforts look like:

• Measuring and offsetting our carbon footprint with initiatives that immediately reduce carbon production (e.g. subsidising sustainable cooking alternatives for families in the Global South to replace coal).
• Creating sustainable packaging alternatives, such as our water-soluble wrappers and applicators. 
• Harnessing sustainable absorbent fibre materials, like hemp - a regenerative crop, which replenishes the land. 

Developing fully compostable period pads and organic tampons.

How do we measure and neutralize our carbon footprint?

When businesses produce and distribute products, they emit carbon into the atmosphere, creating a carbon footprint. Carbon neutrality is a way for businesses to be held accountable for the carbon they emit and invest in alternative projects to neutralise their footprint. 

At Daye, we partnered with Climate Partner, who regularly measure our footprint across our entire supply chain, production and distribution systems, helping us offset our emissions by supporting clean drinking and food preparation projects in Eritrea. 

Compared to long-term strategies like tree planting, our approach offers an immediate positive impact. Tree planting is a common way for companies to offset their carbon emissions but it can take 15-20 years before the trees reach maturity and begin sequestering carbon effectively.

Whilst we’re proud of our approach, it isn’t a permanent solution; we’re constantly looking for new ways to lower our emissions. In the meantime, we’ll continue to measure our impact and offset it in a thoughtful, immediate way.

Why are our wrappers and applicators water-soluble?

According to the Marine Conservation Society, over 2.5 million tampons are flushed down the toilet every day in the UK, with the majority ending up in the ocean. Typically, you should never flush a tampon and always try to dispose of it in a waste bin. But Daye products are built differently - with both you and the environment in mind. 

Daye tampon applicators and wrappers are fully water-soluble, meaning they’re safe to flush!

Our applicators are made of bio-based sugar cane, whilst our wrappers are made of organic pulp that would’ve otherwise gone to waste. Both are certified as ocean-safe. Meanwhile, the outer packaging across all our products is made of recycled cardboard and is fully compostable. 

Rest assured, you can use Daye period products without worrying about where the packaging might end up.

What makes hemp good for both business and earth?

Hemp is a versatile material that has been used since early civilisation. It’s super absorbent, with a sponge-like fibre structure, making it the ideal material for period products. 

Cotton also works well but even when grown organically, maintaining this crop requires huge amounts of water, making it a less sustainable option. By contrast, hemp requires minimal resources and actually leaves the environment in better shape after growing. Here’s how:

• Carbon-hungry: hemp absorbs huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. One hectare of hemp sequesters 10-15 tons of carbon, compared to wheat, which only sequesters 1 ton per hectare.
• Biodiversity: hemp produces plenty of pollen for bees, shelters birds, and is a food source for many animals - allowing biodiversity to flourish.
• Pesticide-free: hemp grows densely and is resistant to most pests, meaning farmers don’t need to use harsh chemicals on the land.
• Fast-growing: hemp grows quickly and can produce two to four crops per year, meaning fewer resources for more material.
• Pest-resistant: hemp is resistant to many threats, including fungal diseases, so it can be used to break pest lifecycles on infected land.
• Soil-protecting: hemp provides natural ground cover, protecting against soil erosion and water loss.
• Super tolerant: hemp has strong roots, enabling it to uptake enough nutrients to withstand both water scarcity and flooding. 

In short, hemp is the crop of the future and at Daye, we’re determined to make the very most of it across our product range. 

Can period products really be fully compostable?

Daye period pads are made of hemp and cotton and are 100% fully compostable. Not only are they better for the environment, they’re great for your period. Our pads are super thin, yet highly absorbent, wicking moisture away easily for long-lasting comfort. Without unnecessary chemicals, our pads are naturally fragrance-free. 

Choosing hemp pads is choosing a healthier environment, as hemp works in the multitude of ways outlined above to restore the health of the soil and ecosystem. Our pads are proven to biodegrade and compost within 154 days. That’s less time than a banana or citrus peel! 

Most period products are made of petrol-derived plastic fibres, which can take up to 500 years to decompose and leach microplastics into the environment. Daye pads are 100% plastic-free, meaning you can throw them away or put them directly into your compost bin — rest assured, they won’t produce microplastics. 

Top tip: menstrual blood is full of nutrients like nitrogen, making a great plant fertiliser.

A holistic approach to sustainability

At Daye, we know a truly sustainable approach to business is a holistic one. We strive to make an immediate positive impact on our communities, which is why we partner with A21 to provide employment opportunities to survivors of human and sexual trafficking across our production and fulfilment lines. 

With our community and our environment at the forefront of our minds - we’re constantly working to reduce our emissions, use sustainable resources and develop eco-friendly solutions. By choosing Daye period products, you’re choosing a more eco-friendly period and a more positive impact on the planet.