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Sustainability is inherent to Diva. We strive to avoid greenwashing by remaining transparent about our environmental efforts and practices. We’re not perfect, but we aim for continual improvements.
When we started DivaCup in 2003, it was propelled by the desire to reduce disposable tampon and pad waste and provide menstruators with more comfort and protection.
As our company grew, we’ve made a conscious effort to continue to keep our environmental impacts as low as possible. From manufacturing and distributing to our impact initiatives and marketing, we continue to be mindful about our role as sustainability leaders in the period care industry.
A Reusable Menstrual Cup to Avoid Greenwashing
“Greenwashing” is when vague or inaccurate claims are made in an effort to appear more environmentally responsible. This can mean including “green” buzzwords, exaggerating environmental claims without substantiation, or literally using the color green to appear more “natural” or environmentally friendly.
At Diva, being environmentally responsible is at the heart of all that we do. Environmental considerations are taken in all stages of production, and we strive to be honest and transparent about these efforts.
Our Products
Both our reusable menstrual cups and discs are made from 100% medical grade silicone. Medical grade silicone is durable while also remaining soft and flexible. It is safe for long periods of direct body contact and is frequently used for internal medical devices.
Although silicone will naturally break down over time, we partnered with TerraCycle to create DivaRecycles, North America’s first menstrual cup recycling program. Through this program we recycle DivaCups, Diva Discs, ShakerCups, as well as DivaWipes packaging.
Our DivaWash is made from naturally derived ingredients, including sustainably sourced palm oil and palm oil derivatives.
Production
All Diva products are consciously manufactured and assembled locally to reduce transportation resources used. When delivering, we consolidate to create full truck loads and avoid less than a truckload (LTL) as often as possible.
Within the warehouse, protocols are in place to improve energy efficiency. We save time and expedite the “pick and pack” process by using RF Scanners to avoid walking back and forth to computers. The thermostat is set to an ambient temperature of 23-24 degrees Celsius year-round. And for any disposal required, we recycle as much as we can with TerraCycle or consult other recycling companies to find alternative ways to divert from landfill.
In 2020, our operations contributed 145.9Mwh to Green Electricity and 1,154.9 GJ to Green Natural Gas by partnering with Bullfrog Power.
Waste Diverted from Landfills
Reusable menstrual care helps to divert 12,000 – 15,000 individual disposables (250 – 300 lbs.) from landfills over the course of one menstruator’s lifetime. To take it one step further, once a cup user has seen their DivaCup through to the end of its intended lifetime, it can be recycled through our DivaRecycles program.
Recycling Efforts
Our recycling program, in partnership with TerraCycle, is the only of its kind in North America. We will take your used, clean DivaCups, Diva Discs, ShakerCups, and DivaWipes packaging and break them down. They are ground down to a crumb-like powder to be made into playgrounds, flooring, and athletic tracks.
Sustainability Reporting
A report on our environmental initiatives and sustainability efforts is released annually. As a proud Certified B Corp, we intend to do everything in our power to remain as such, while continually improving upon our accountability score.
We aim to avoid greenwashing at all costs and strive for the highest standards of sustainability, transparency, and integrity. We know we’re not perfect, but we focus on maintaining our stance as the sustainable brand we’ve been since inception.
