Launching World's 1st patented reusable hemp sanitary pad

Indraja Saroha is organizing this fundraiser.

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My name is Indraja and I've been working on improving the reproductive health and rights of Indian women since 2017 and I am supporting my community Himalayan Hemp in raising funds for their flagship project based on reusable hemp sanitary pads.

Himalayan Hemp Sanitary Pads

- A Story we wanted to hear

Every month, countless women around the world face a challenge that goes far beyond discomfort—it’s a struggle for dignity, health, and opportunity. In communities where access to safe, affordable menstrual products is limited, many are forced to use unhygienic alternatives that jeopardise their well-being and restrict their potential.

Challenges

Imagine a young girl who must miss school because she doesn’t have a reliable, hygienic way to manage her period. Picture a community burdened by the environmental toll of millions of disposable pads filling up landfills and polluting our natural resources. These are the realities of period poverty—a crisis that affects not just health, but also education, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability.

Problem 1: Existing sanitary pads - A health hazard

Lets delve deeper into this subject by understanding a case study from India.

According to research dubbed "Wrapped in Secrecy " that was produced by the Delhi-based non-profit NGO, ‘Toxics Link’, the majority of prominent brands of sanitary products available in India carry hazardous materials. This research investigated sanitary napkins for the presence of phthalates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other harmful substances. Nearly 90% of currently marketed sanitary pads are primarily made of plastic. Plastic's non-biodegradability has significant negative effects on the environment, but elements that are purposely added or naturally present throughout the sanitary pad manufacturing process are also a subject of consideration.

To increase the flexibility and functionality of sanitary pads, phthalates, previously employed as plasticizers, are typically incorporated in the layers. Steamy sealant, which is employed to connect the sanitary pad layers together, also contains phthalates. The paradox in this is that the phthalates in sanitary napkins come into direct contact with the vulva before moving on to the mucous membrane causing the early beginning of puberty in girls and rapid breast development. This has been directly linked to urinal levels of phthalate and associated toxins by many researchers. Asthma in children and early exposure to phthalates are just two of the detrimental effects of phthalate on pregnant and breastfeeding persons. In addition, to their own health problems like foetal development or in some cases it may cause infertility.

Problem 2: Disposal of Non-biodegradable Sanitary Napkins

There are still problems with how to properly dispose of used menstruation items. Since the majority of sanitary pads sold commercially are packed with chemicals, the effects on human health and the environment after disposal is huge. Sanitary trash, is not biological waste and is categorized under Solid Waste Rules in many parts of the world worsening this issue.

Globally, around 50 billion sanitary napkins are used annually by 1.8 billion users, with a significant portion of those pads ending up in garbage dumps or waterways, allowing carcinogenic and poisonous substances to leach into the ground as stated in the report of down to earth.

On an average, every sanitary pad has 2 grams of non-biodegradable plastic waste making an estimate of 26455 tons being released in the waterways and landfills every year. It excludes 2.5 grams of outer pack itself which makes 3000 tons of separate non-biodegradable plastic waste. The erroneous classification of this product in terms of environmental norms has resulted in micro-plastic pollution, soil fertility loss, and groundwater pollution.

Our Vision and Solution

We are proud to introduce World's 1st and only Patented Himalayan Hemp Sanitary Pads—a revolutionary, reusable, anti-bacterial, and compostable solution made from natural hemp fibers that are gentle on the skin and kind to the planet. These pads are not just a safe, healthy option for managing menstruation; they also empower women artisans from marginalised communities by providing sustainable, fair-wage employment opportunities.

Why Himalayan Hemp Sanitary Pads?

Safe & Natural: Hemp fibers are naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of irritation and infections.

Sustainable: Hemp grows quickly with minimal water and no harmful pesticides, making it an environmentally responsible choice.

Reusable Impact: Each pad can be washed and reused for up to two years, replacing up to 60 disposable pads per month—and drastically reducing waste.

What we need & Where we'll spend the money

To launch and nurture our Himalayan Hemp Sanitary Pads solution—empowering women, promoting menstrual equity, and protecting the environment—we need to raise a total of £15,000. Here’s exactly where every pound will go:

1. Production & Raw Materials – £6,000 (40%)

Sourcing high-quality Himalayan hemp Fibers

Covering the cost of production tools, supplies, and packaging for our first full batch of pads

2. Artisan Training & Social Impact – £4,500 (30%)

Funding training workshops for women artisans from marginalized communities so they can create high-quality, handcrafted pads

Ensuring these skilled artisans receive fair compensation for their work, empowering them economically.

Upgrading workspaces and tools to improve efficiency and quality

3. Marketing & Outreach – £3,000 (20%)

Running targeted social media and online ad campaigns to share our story and build a community of supporters

Creating sample packs for distribution to key partners, influencers, and non-profits focused on menstrual equity.

Developing compelling visuals, video content, and press releases to spotlight our mission and impact.

4. Operational & Contingency Costs – £1,500 (10%)

Covering shipping, storage, and day-to-day operational expenses.

A reserve to handle unexpected costs, ensuring the smooth running of the project from launch to scale-up.

Our Unique Giveaways for Donors

Handcrafted Sample Pad: Get a sample pad of our Himalayan Hemp Sanitary Pads, each lovingly stitched by our skilled artisans or donate it to someone suffering from period poverty

Behind-the-Scenes Access: Enjoy exclusive videos and photo stories of our production process and artisan training sessions.

Personal Thank You: Receive a personalised thank-you note or video message from one of our artisan team members or the beneficiary of your donated pad.

The Impact

Empowering Women: We have already trained over 100 women artisans, who collectively can produce more than 6,000 pads monthly, providing them with economic independence and dignity.

Waste Reduction: Every reusable pad prevents up to 60 disposable pads from being discarded. In our pilot phase, our production has helped save over 600,000 disposable pads from landfills each month.

Community Transformation: By improving menstrual health and hygiene, we are also enhancing educational and work opportunities for women in underserved areas.

Start a Conversation: Talk about our cause with your network. Whether in community groups, clubs, or local events, your voice can spark interest and inspire action.

Supportive Documents:-

Patent & Trademark

Link : https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2022149152A1/en