GladRags
TypeBenefit corporation
IndustryFeminine hygiene
Founded1993 (1993)
FoundersBrenda Mallory
Karen Paule
Headquarters,
United States
ProductsCloth menstrual pads
menstrual cups
Websitegladrags.com

GladRags is a feminine hygiene company based in Portland, Oregon that produces reusable cloth menstrual pads and menstrual cups.[1]

GladRags focuses on sustainability and reusability.[2] The company's cloth pads are machine-washable and made from soft cotton flannel that folds and snaps around underwear.[3][4] Each cloth pad includes two inserts and a holder and comes in various patterns and colors.[5] They are made to last at least five years[6] and are sometimes used in conjunction with menstrual cups.[7][8][9] The company also sells the XO Flo reusable silicone menstrual cup and was formerly the primary distributor of the Moon Cup brand.[10][11]

GladRags is owned and operated by women.[12] It was founded in 1993 by Brenda Mallory and Karen Paule. Mallory was inspired by reusable cloth diapers. Tracy Puhl has led the company since 2011.[10] In 2013 Puhl was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Oregon and Southwest Washington by the U.S. Small Business Administration.[13] It is cruelty-free and was first certified as a B corporation in 2012.[10] GladRags partners with a women-owned sewing company and other organizations.[10][9]

Typical annual expenditures on disposable menstrual products were US$60 (equivalent to $105.4 in 2022) in 1999; GladRags and Natracare are among the reusable brands recommended for cost-conscious consumers.[14] Products like GladRags, menstrual cups, and natural sea-sponge tampons are all marketed to self-described "conscientious" female consumers.[15] Followers of the zero waste movement may use reusable-pad brands like GladRags, potentially in combination with reusable period underwear, reusable period cups or discs, and/or compostable sponge tampons.[16] They may be used to collect menstrual blood for use as plant fertilizer.[17]

See also

References

  1. Koskenniemi, Aino (2 January 2023). "Say no to shame, waste, inequality—and leaks! Menstrual activism in the market for alternative period products". Feminist Media Studies. 23 (1): 19–36. doi:10.1080/14680777.2021.1948885. hdl:10138/357657.
  2. Haneman, Victoria J. (February 2021). "Menstruation Capitalism, Period Poverty, and the Role of the B Corporation". Columbia Journal of Gender and Law: 7. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3778969.
  3. Loux, Renee (2008). Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home. Rodale. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-62336-324-6.
  4. "Natural Products Report". Yoga Journal. January 2014. p. 72.
  5. Patterson, Ashly (2014). "The Social Construction and Resistance of Menstruation as a Public Spectacle". Illuminating How Identities, Stereotypes and Inequalities Matter through Gender Studies. Springer. p. 105. ISBN 978-9401787185.
  6. Bergin, Mary (May 17, 2004). "Organic Choices Just Keep Growing". The Capital Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  7. "GladRags". Feminist Bookstore News. 20: 54. 1997.
  8. Garrett, Leslie (9 February 2011). The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide to Supporting Family, Friends, Neighbors — or Yourself. New World Library. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-57731-810-1.
  9. 1 2 Madden, Alanna (July 26, 2021). "Reusable period products more relevant than ever for Portland's GladRags". Portland Business Journal.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Woodstock, Molly (January 7, 2015). "10 Reasons to Love Portland-Based GladRags". Portland Monthly.
  11. "Size Matters: How the XO Flo Mini Menstrual Cup Saved My Vagina Feelings". Autostraddle. September 21, 2018.
  12. "Safe simple smart try GladRags or the keeper menstrual cup". Natural Health. December 1, 2005. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  13. Mortenson, Eric (May 20, 2013). "East Portland floor company owner named Oregon's small business person of the year". The Oregonian.
  14. "Summer of Grrrl". The Star Press. 1999-06-30. p. 41. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  15. Garrett, Leslie (2011). The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World. New World Library. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-57731-810-1.
  16. Lozanova, Sarah (2023-03-15). "5 Zero-Waste Period Products". Earth911. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  17. Ashford, Teresa L. (June 2, 2003). Recounting, rethinking, and reclaiming menstruation (Thesis). Oregon State University.
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