How Anandi Sanitary Pads is Transforming Menstrual Hygiene with India's First Compostable Pads

According to a survey in 2022, more than 50% of Indian women living in rural parts of India are still using old rags and cloth during their menstrual cycle. Due to ingrained cultural practices and a lack of awareness regarding the importance of menstrual hygiene, many women in India face various reproductive diseases and are also at an increased risk of infections. However, Anandi Sanitary Pads are shattering the rose-tinted glasses and bringing forth a shift in how people perceive ‘menstruation’. No longer a taboo or an impure process, but as a natural phenomenon which is a part and parcel of the daily life of a woman. Anandi, which translates to happiness, is educating the Indian society about menstrual health. Being India’s first-ever Government-certified biodegradable sanitary napkin brand, the founders of Anandi are here to revolutionise and prioritise women's health. If you are curious about their journey, read the article to know more. 
 

The Journey from Scratch

How did it start? In a nation like India, using the term "menstruation" is frowned upon. Now, imagine two men starting a feminine hygiene product. Does it seem almost unimaginable? Considering the societal norms and the rules for men, right? Well, the founders of Anandi Sanitary Pads—Jaydeep Mandal and Sambodhi Gosh—are here to change society and the common man's perspective. Anandi Sanitary Pads is an initiative by Aakar Innovations. The founders, Jaydeep Mandal and Sambodhi Gosh, were deeply perturbed by the conditions under which women in rural India must live during their menstrual cycles. While women in rural India can access health services, many still rely on old rags and resort to unhygienic methods during their menses. Witnessing the lack of knowledge in these rural areas, the founders started from scratch by educating these women about feminine and menstrual hygiene. That’s when Anandi Pads was born.  

Anandi Sanitary Pads targets women in rural and urban slums who might be unfamiliar with the concept of feminine health. All production units are established in rural villages and urban slums, allowing Aakar Innovations to distribute the sanitary pads easily throughout the villages and homes, making them accessible in every corner of the nation. These sanitary napkins are priced 40% lower than those of other competitors in the market. But the question remains: why would someone choose a brand like Anandi over Whisper and Stayfree, which have strong dominance in the market? Let’s find out why.

What Makes Anandi Sanitary Pads Different?

Anandi Pads are here not just to revolutionise the mindset of people but also to help the environment. The founders started Anandi with a vision to make it a brand that is accessible, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Let’s just say Anandi is that and so much more. These sanitary pads are made of 100% biodegradable and compostable material that breaks down in 180 days. The materials used to make this pad can easily disintegrate back to nature and compost in their natural elements. In India, whether men or women, society still lacks basic information about menstrual hygiene; though it’s a shame, it’s the harsh reality. Thus, most sanitary napkins are incinerated. However, this process is extremely harmful to the environment as it releases hazardous chemicals like dioxins and methane gas into the air, leading to unfit living conditions. That’s where Anandi brings forth a difference. Anandi is environmentally sustainable and a safe alternative to use. It is made using materials like Banana Stem, Sugarcane Bagasse, Water Hyacinth, Jute, and Bamboo. All materials are sourced locally, and local manpower is employed, generating employment in rural areas of India.  

As the pad is made using biodegradable ingredients, it is crafted to perfection. After extensive research, the founders ensured that the product is ultra-thin, leakproof, and made with organic cotton. Due to its high absorbency, good quality, and unique USP, Anandi is India’s first and only sanitary napkin that is certified by the Government of India. The brand also Anandi Sanitary Pads, has earned many awards to date, and yet they continue to bring a shift in society and the backwards thinking of the people. The founders have not only put a lot of thought into the making of the brand, but also into the right way to dispose of the pad. Anandi pads come along with a hassle-free disposable bag, which is entirely compostable. The bag is sealed with a red sticker, indicating to ragpickers the used sanitary waste. However, things function differently in the rural parts of the country; thus, if people don’t have waste collection facilities, the pads can be buried with kitchen waste and composted in a pit. Anandi pads can be composted using vermicomposting methods or in an industrial composting facility.

Menstruation is a natural process that every woman goes through. It’s ironic how in a culture where womanhood is celebrated, menstruation is often regarded as taboo. However, it is people like Jayesh Mandal and Sambodhi Gosh, two men who are set to bring forth a change and break the stereotypes attached to menstruation. Many other Indian brands like Azah, Plush, Sirona and more are known for their compostable sanitary pads. For more information on Anandi, check their website here.