How Saathi Pads is a Major Contributor to India’s Biodegradable Sanitary Revolution

Periods are already enough of a pain—literally. Cramping, bloating, irritability, and then the added drama of using plastic-filled pads that are neither kind to your skin nor the planet! While most of us may think of bananas as a tasty fruit or a key ingredient in Sunday’s smoothie, a quiet but powerful revolution is sprouting from their stems. Deep in the heart of Gujarat, a group of MIT and Nirma graduates came together with a simple question: What if your sanitary pad could actually be good for the planet? Enter Saathi, a proudly Indian brand creating eco-friendly, compostable sanitary pads from banana fibre. No plastic. No perfume. No rash. No guilt. And yet, this isn’t just a story about innovation – it’s about giving back, about empowering women, and about breaking the age-old silence surrounding menstrual health. Sounds too good to be true? Well, this time, the hype is real.

The Story of Saathi: Where Innovation Meets Impact

Every year, over 12 billion sanitary pads are discarded in India alone, most of which are made with 90% plastic, chlorine, and synthetic fragrances – a toxic cocktail that sits in landfills and oceans for over 500 to 800 years. These pads not only leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water but also clog drainage systems and release microplastics into the environment. Burning them releases dioxins – highly toxic pollutants linked to cancer, immune disorders, and reproductive issues. In short, what’s marketed as a “disposable” convenience is creating a permanent environmental and health hazard.

Saathi flipped this narrative. Founded in 2015 in Ahmedabad by Kristin Kagetsu, Tarun Bothra, Amrita Saigal and Grace Kane, Saathi began as a bold idea during a student project at MIT. Their goal was clear – to create a sustainable, toxin-free sanitary pad that could also address the menstrual hygiene crisis in rural India. What emerged was more than just a product – it was a movement. The team combined their backgrounds in engineering, renewable energy, and social impact to develop a patented method that transforms banana tree agro-waste into soft, absorbent pads.

They developed a 100% biodegradable and compostable sanitary pad made from banana and bamboo fibre, using a patented process that turns agricultural waste into absorbent, skin-friendly hygiene products. Banana fibre, unlike conventional cotton, uses six times less water, needs no pesticides, and is sourced from local farmers who previously discarded banana stems as waste. This not only reduces agri-waste and carbon footprint but also provides a new source of income for rural farming families. Their sanitary pads are plastic-free, fragrance-free, chlorine-free, and toxin-free, making them safe even for sensitive skin, and preventing rashes, irritation, and infections common with synthetic pads. The pads naturally decompose in just 6 months, making them over 1200 times more biodegradable than mainstream brands. Each pad is a small act of climate kindness, designed to care for your body and the Earth. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 60 Second Docs (@60secdocs)

But the brand didn’t stop at innovation. They’ve worked hand-in-hand with NGOs like Ekal Vidyalaya and the Arogya Foundation to run menstrual hygiene workshops in rural villages, breaking taboos and giving young girls the freedom to attend school without shame. Their #OneMillionPads initiative, which aims to provide biodegradable pads to underserved menstruators, has already impacted thousands of lives. Their achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. Saathi has been featured in TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions, recognised by UNESCO, awarded at Expo 2020 Dubai, and celebrated by the Cartier Women’s Initiative. They’re not just a brand – they’re a recognised global example of what sustainable innovation can look like in a developing country context. 

Saathi’s product line is a revolution in green menstrual care—offering regular and XL pads made from banana and bamboo fibre for day and night use, panty liners for everyday comfort, and FDA-approved menstrual cups for a zero-waste alternative. With combo trial packs starting at just Rs. 120, and bulk or subscription options for convenience, they make sustainable periods accessible to all. But it’s not just about products—they’ve already reached over 250,000 women across India with safe menstrual solutions and empowered 150+ underprivileged women through dignified employment at their Ahmedabad facility. Saathi is changing periods—and lives—with purpose and compassion.

Why It’s Time to Rethink the Way We Bleed

Let’s be real. Periods in India are still cloaked in stigma, especially in rural areas. Access to quality menstrual products is patchy at best, and most pads on the market are packed with plastic, perfumes, and chemicals that irritate the skin and harm the planet. Worse still, those very pads become mountains of waste – non-degradable, toxic, and hazardous. This is where Saathi shines. They’re solving multiple problems in one go: reducing plastic waste, empowering rural women, supporting farmers, and educating communities. Their pads are safe for your skin, kind to the earth, and part of a much larger vision of circular economy.

So if you’re someone who’s looking for a healthier, more sustainable alternative to conventional pads – or simply someone who believes in using your purchasing power for good – should try these biodegradable pads! Ready to make the switch?