The EPD measures the carbon footprint of the full lifecycle of a product, which includes the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted from raw material extraction to manufacture, including transport, as well as the disposal stages. The whole process took two years and determined that a single Natracare sanitary pad is equivalent to 23 grams of CO2.
The measurement is expressed as grams of CO2 equivalents. The International EPD Consortium (IEC) assessed the scientific, independently validated information provided for Natracare and subsequently granted the EPD to Natracare for the Ultra Pads.
Natracare is not just content to provide high quality products that are both better for our environment and for women's health, but go that extra mile to make sure.
It has been calculated that an average women uses 17,000 sanitary pads in her lifetime. If she chose Natracare Ultra pads, this would contribute just over 399kg of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Planting and managing five trees will offset one metric tonne of CO2, so one person's lifetime use of Natracare pads can be offset by just two trees!
In a commitment to offset the carbon footprint from all of the Ultra Pads produced since 2007, Natracare is supporting the Woodland Trust to plant and lifetime manage trees in the UK. Every future pack will be offset in the same way.
Check out the CO2 Stats below
CO2 STATS
An average car emits approximately 160g CO2/km.
A pack of Natracare regular natural ultra pads is the equivalent of a 2km car journey.
During its growth phase, a subtropical tree absorbs approximately 22kg CO2/year (60g CO2 per day), so the CO2 created by a single pad can be absorbed by a single tree in less than 9½ hours.
6649 trees can absorb in one day, the amount of CO2 created by a lifetimes supply of Natracare pads, that's approximately 15.65 hectares of rainforest (based on 425 trees per hectare) or 31 football pitches.
Greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation are causing global climate change at a rate unseen in the last 650,000 years. This change represents the single greatest threat to our woodlands and the wildlife they contain.
Natracare makes every effort to reduce emissions directly by using raw materials with the lowest possible carbon footprint, avoiding unnecessary energy use and by increasing the efficiency of our systems. We measure (EPD and Carbon Trust), then take measures to reduce and avoid emissions. In addition to this, we also contribute to the Woodlands Trust carbon offsetting scheme.
Because atmospheric gases have a global influence it is reasonable that emissions in one place can be neutralised by an equivalent amount of sequestration elsewhere. Some emissions are unavoidable, and the Woodland Trust believes that offsetting those emissions – by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere elsewhere – is a valid activity as part of a comprehensive emissions reduction plan.
The Woodland Trust work from a conservative estimate that one hectare of newly created native woodland will eventually lock up at least 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Natracare, having measured its carbon footprint, then pays for the planting and management of native broadleaf trees. Five trees planted will ensure the removal of one tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere as well as bringing many additional benefits of planting new native woodland such as:
• Carbon sequestration and storage
• Extended wildlife habitat and protection of existing ancient woodland
• Provision of natural spaces for people to enjoy
• Cleansing and regulation of water supplies
• Prevention of soil erosion
• Protection against extreme climatic events, such as drought
• Shading to provide local cooling