Greenie is a purpose driven manufacturing company that makes eco-friendly hygiene products. Founded by Post graduates from Sheffield Hallam(UK), we are innovators in the use of alternative materials and zero-waste production. Our mission is to create hygiene products that are good for the body, environment, and community.

How did the story begin?

Greenie began its R&D in 2012, when its Founders Mrs. Shakthi & Mr. Shanath – Post Graduates of Sheffiled Hallam University (UK), – came together on a mission to create fully eco-friendly, compostable sanitary napkins using locally sourced banana fiber from the state of Tamilnadu, where Greenie is based. We were inspired by the idea of improving womens access to sanitary pads in India.

Shakthi was passionate about making a product that is sustainable using natural materials and impacts women. Shakthi also had personal experiences with a family member who was affected by having to face the taboos around menstrual hygiene in India. After a hard 7 years R & D, We found a way to source natural eco-friendly materials for sanitary pads to make a product that not only positively impacted women but was also good for the environment.

We were motivated by the potential to make a positive difference for women in India while using an engineering approach focused on ecology and sustainability. Together we combined our experiences to conceive and develop a biodegradable and compostable sanitary pad with a cradle to cradle (completely sustainable) business model which also embodies circular economy. Our team has business, technical, and local expertise to develop new products and set up manufacturing.

We aim to apply this to other absorbent products With 100% Banana Fiber Sanitary Napkins are finally launched for sale as aProduct in 2019 after a 7 years hard end R & D.

Why biodegradable pads?

Greenie pads are Biodegradable; Compostable, using plant-based materials for the leak-proof outer layers of the napkin.

Many consumers have issues with irritation or rashes from the plastics / chemicals in standard pads.The average conventional sanitary pad contains 3.4g of plastic. This means that over her lifetime, the average woman will generate 23kg of plastic from sanitary pads alone. In 2016, there were 150,000 tons of sanitary pad waste in India. When disposed of, Greenie pads degrade within six months – 1200 times faster than plastic pads! Since Greenie pads don’t contain chemicals, they provide a rash and irritation free experience.

How does banana fibre compare to other natural fibres?

Greenie pads are made with banana fibre because of its highly absorbent properties, and the environmental and social benefits of its supply chain. Banana fibre comes from the stem of the banana tree, which after harvesting is normally discarded. Greenie instead buys the stems from collectives of local farmers. After we extract the fibre, the residue left over can be fermented and used by farmers as an organic fertilizer. Most plastic sanitary pads use chlorine-bleached wood pulp as an absorbent, while most other eco-friendly pads use cotton.

Banana fibre uses six times less water per ton produced than cotton, and 10 times less fertilizers. Most importantly, since bananas are an existing food crop, no extra land is being taken up by the production of this fibre. There are already 9 million hectares dedicated to banana farming worldwide. By trailblazing the use of banana fibre as a consumer product raw material, Greenie hopes to champion its expanded use.