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Women Launch Eco-Napkin Startup in Salem
22 Aug
Summary
- Women in Salem started an eco-friendly sanitary napkin business.
- The pads use natural materials like cassava and medicinal herbs.
- The startup advocates for removing GST on raw materials.
In Salem, India, a group of women has initiated a startup focused on manufacturing eco-friendly sanitary napkins. This venture provides a natural alternative to conventional plastic sanitary products. Saranya Gopinath, the driving force behind the startup, was motivated by personal experiences with skin irritation from commercial pads.
The production process exclusively utilizes natural raw materials, including cassava flour, malai vembu (Melia dubia), and medicinal herbs, ensuring all components are synthetic-free. Business partner S Tharageshwari highlights that these ingredients offer superior absorption and keep the surface dry, thus preventing bacterial growth and skin issues.
The women behind the startup are actively working to dismantle the stigma associated with menstruation by promoting open conversations within their community. They advocate for recognizing menstruation as a normal biological process. Furthermore, the startup has called upon the central and state governments to eliminate the 18% GST on essential raw materials like processed cassava and malai vembu. They argue that waiving this tax would allow for a gradual reduction in the final product cost.
