Lil-Lets - September -003

Credit: Lil-Lets UK Ltd 2021

Feminine hygiene brand Lil-Lets is to cease production of all single-use plastic applicator tampons from November 2021, as it launches a reusable applicator.

The brand claims the move will save an average of 286 applicators from becoming rubbish per year for each person who makes the switch.

Its new reusable applicators (rsp: £17.99) are made from recyclable medical grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), while the lid is high impact polystyrene.

“We listened when our customers had concerns about the environmental impact of our plastic applicator products, and, following 12 months of product design and testing, we are thrilled to be in a position to make a difference today,” said Lil-Lets brand manager Abby Smith.

“This is not a single-use applicator, it was designed to be used and reused. It is easy to make the swap and by choosing our reusable applicator you will be saving an average of 286 single-use applicators from being thrown away and possibly ending up in landfill or oceans.”

Read more | Eco-friendly feminine care: the options consumers want to see in supermarkets

The brand said 89% of respondents in a consumer test panel had found the Lil-Lets reusable applicator “simple and easy to use”, while 91% would recommend the reusable applicator to others. It attributed the satisfaction rate to a design that is “familiar”, “easy to use” and simple to clean.

Longtime environment activist and founder of the campaign to #EndPeriodPlastic Ella Daish hailed the move: “It’s fantastic to see a major brand like Lil-Lets really leading the change in the period industry by not only removing plastic applicators from their products but also stepping into the reusable market with their applicator! We need more companies to follow their lead in taking steps that are better for people and the planet.”