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Sustainability

Meeting needs, with a lower impact.

We use science to improve life – both for people, and for the planet. We do this by finding innovative solutions to women’s real needs. The result? Science-based products which make as minimal an impact as possible on the planet – without compromising our high standards of sustainability, form and function.

Simply the best

But we can’t do this on our own. We choose our partners carefully. We think it’s essential to work with partners with industry-beating standards when it comes to care for the planet and its people. Together, we aim to make a huge difference.

People have needs, and all products will inevitably leave a footprint. We work hard, every day, to minimize ours. We share all of the information we have, and talk about the actions we take to improve. It's an ongoing journey – where every single step we take is a step forward.

The planet we all share 

Reusables vs disposables  – what’s the actual difference?

You might think that period products don’t matter, but they do. Here’s why.

Disposable sanitary products produce around 590,000 tonnes of waste a year (2018). A big part of this waste is plastic – much of which inevitably ends up in landfills, where it takes more than 500 years to decompose. ​

Female Engineering’s period panties are made to be used again and again, and they last for at least 50 washes. This means that if a pair of panties is worn once per menstruation cycle, it will last for around 4 years. At that point, the anti-bacterial and anti-odour treatment might lose a bit of its effectiveness. But the fabric, form and fit will still last for a lot longer.

And waste is just one aspect of all this. If you consider every step of the product life cycle – from the material, via production all the way to disposal – analysis reveals that, when it comes to menstrual protection, carbon impact is lowered by at least 30% by shifting to period panties.

 

Manufacturing with care

Taking responsibility means being responsible throughout the whole chain – including partners and manufacturers. We choose our partners carefully.

Female Engineering period panties are produced in association with our partner Bodyline, an Affiliate of MAS Holdings of Sri Lanka. MAS and Bodyline are recognised for their long-term actions in caring for planet and people, within and outside of their own business. They aim higher than industry standards: both when it comes to what they do, namely the components and the materials, and how they do it, as in their processes and protocols. ​

The goals

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you’ve made a difference? In their Plan for Change, MAS have stated some clear goals for 2025, which Bodyline has also committed to:

  • Limit Emissions – Reduce our emissions footprint to achieve 25% absolute reduction (as compared to the 2019 base year)

  • Responsible Chemical Use – Be “zero toxic” in all products and processes

  • Safeguard Water – Achieving zero impact to MAS’s operations, and mitigating negative impact on the environment and community

  • Champion Biodiversity – Restoring biodiversity in 100 times the amount of space they occupy.

What progress is made of 

Without the right materials, progress is just a state of mind. So, we select and develop our materials with great care. 

The shell of our period panties is made of either: 

or

For our micro range, we have a velvety smooth silicon application instead of the classic elastic in waist and leg openings. The applications are made by Silueta and made from low cure silicon. This has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional silicon.

To prevent bacterial growth and odour, the top fabric layers in the gusset are treated with Agion Active XL from Sciessent. The treatments we use follow the strict regulations laid out in the EU legislation and have been approved according to OEKO-TEX® and bluesign®.

Thanks to our OEKO-TEX® and bluesign® certifications, we know that our products are not harmful to human health and that the material is safe. However, we never settle. Together with our partner Bodyline, we are on a quest for alternative ways to prevent or inhibit bacterial growth. MAS and Bodyline are leaders in this area, so the journey ahead looks promising – and we are also simultaneously scanning the market for other alternatives. ​ 

It´s all about people...

According to the UN’s own definition, social sustainability means doing business in ways that benefit society and protect people. This is our way of doing just that.

...and our partners

  • We depend on our partners to ensure that people are also treated well. As a result, it’s of critical importance that we select who we work with carefully – and also, that we can have an impact on how they work themselves.

  • Partnering with MAS and Bodyline  is a proof-point of our commitment, since Bodyline is well recognized for its long-term actions to improve the conditions for people and community.

  • MAS holds a “Garments without guilt” certification, issued by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) to Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers. It proves the company’s dedication to positive and ethical working conditions for its workers.​

  • Wages and benefits for MAS and Bodyline employees are above industry standard. The lowest salary of a seamstress is more than three times higher than the Sri Lankan minimum wage.

  • Employees at Bodyline can take as many breaks as they want, and period protection is free for them

In their Plan for Change, MAS have set clear and ambitious goals in five areas concerning their impact on people:

  • Empowering women on the shop floor through education.

  • Empowering women in management with the ambition to have 50/50 gender parity.

  • Meaningful employment by fostering diversity and inclusion.

  • Meaningful employment by accelerating well-being and work-life balance.

  • Thriving communities through positive impact.

Sustainability