A menstrual cup is safe to use for up to 10 years… technically. That being said, the care and keeping of your cup plays a heavy role. If you notice any sort of cracking in your cup or the outside has become tacky to the touch, you'll know it's time to recycle, right away. At this point, the silicone has been damaged and your cup shouldn’t be used any longer.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, how do you recycle a menstrual cup?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Chop it up. Medical-grade silicone is safe. Safe to be inside your body as a menstrual cup, safe to eat off of, doesn’t give off any sort of toxins and is free from hazardous ingredients. You can chop up (or grind down) your menstrual cup and add to the soil of a potted plant or scatter in your garden!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Check with your local hospital. Hospitals use instruments all the time that are made of medical-grade silicone and eventually, they will need to be disposed of. Asking them if there is a procedure or method in place could be really helpful!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Burn it. If you don’t have time to contact facilities for local recycling advice, a super simple solution would be to burn your menstrual cup! Sounds crazy, we know, but it burns to simple ash and doesn’t give off toxic fumes. Keep in mind that silicone is heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit so it does take some time to break down. Placing it in a wood stove or in the embers of a bonfire is perfect! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Have you ever recycled a menstrual cup? What method did you choose?