Every day in the UK, around 1.3 million plastic tampon applicators are flushed down the toilet. Most of them end up in the ocean or in landfill, where they'll sit for centuries. DAME was founded in 2015 by Celia Pool and Alec Mills specifically to change that — and they've been at it ever since.
We've included DAME on Ethical Supply because they represent exactly the kind of company we think deserves more attention: independently founded, B Corp certified, and genuinely rethinking a product category that's been dominated by wasteful, secretive incumbents for decades.
Why DAME is on Ethical Supply
DAME isn't just slapping a green label on a conventional product. They started from scratch, questioning why period care had to involve so much single-use plastic in the first place. Their answer was the world's first reusable tampon applicator — a medical-grade Mediprene device engineered by UK medical engineers, designed to last for thousands of uses.
They're a certified B Corp, meaning they're legally committed to balancing purpose and profit. They were also the first period care company to achieve Carbon Neutral Plus status, offsetting twice the carbon they emit. That's not a marketing claim — it's independently verified through Carbonfootprint.
What stands out most is their transparency. DAME publish their environmental impact openly and talk frankly about periods in a way the industry has historically avoided. No euphemisms, no shame, just good products that happen to be better for the planet.
What DAME makes
DAME's range has grown well beyond that original reusable applicator, though it remains a flagship product. Here's what they offer.
Reusable tampon applicator
The product that started it all. Made from BPA-free Mediprene with self-sanitising technology, it works with any tampon from light to super plus. One applicator replaces thousands of disposable plastic ones over its lifetime. It's compact, easy to clean, and travels well.
Organic cotton tampons
DAME's tampons are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and nothing else. No chlorine, no bleach, no polyester, no dyes, no plastics, no pesticides. They're biodegradable and come in recyclable packaging.
Organic cotton pads
Available as both disposable and reusable options. The disposable pads use the same GOTS-certified organic cotton as the tampons — toxin-free and biodegradable. The reusable pads come in four sizes and are designed to be washed and worn cycle after cycle.
Period pants
DAME's period pants are made from organic cotton with built-in odour control technology. The range includes bikini, high-waist, and high-waist night styles, absorbing the equivalent of four to five tampons per wear. They're a good option for lighter days, overnight protection, or as backup alongside other products.
Menstrual cup
The DAME Period Cup features their no-boil self-sanitising technology, making it easier to keep clean than traditional menstrual cups. It's designed for comfort and reliable leak protection.
The bigger picture
The period care industry generates an enormous amount of waste. A single person who menstruates will use roughly 11,000 disposable period products in their lifetime. Most of those contain plastic — in the product itself, the applicator, and the packaging.
DAME's approach tackles this at every level. Their reusable products directly replace thousands of disposable ones. Their disposable products use organic, biodegradable materials instead of plastic. And their packaging is designed to minimise waste throughout.
The company has estimated that their reusable tampon applicator alone has saved over 22 million plastic applicators from going to landfill since launch. That's a meaningful number from a relatively small, independent company.
Who DAME is good for
DAME works well if you're looking to reduce the environmental footprint of your period care without a dramatic lifestyle change. The organic cotton tampons and pads are a straightforward swap — they work the same as conventional products, just without the chemicals and plastic. The reusable applicator and period pants go a step further for anyone ready to cut out more waste.
Their products are widely available in the UK and ship internationally. Prices are competitive with other organic period care brands, and the reusable products pay for themselves within a few cycles.