How to Dispose of Your Old Menstrual Cup or Disc

8 min read
How to Dispose of Your Old Menstrual Cup or Disc

If your menstrual cup or reusable disc has reached the end of its useful life, first check the manufacturer's disposal advice and then check whether your local recycling service accepts the product or material. If there isn't a suitable recycling option, household rubbish is usually the practical choice.

Before you throw it away, though, make sure it actually needs replacing. A cup or disc can become stained over time without being damaged or unsafe to use.

When should you replace a menstrual cup or disc?

There isn't one lifespan that applies to every menstrual cup or reusable disc. How long a product lasts depends on its material, design, how often you use it, how it is cleaned and the replacement advice provided by the manufacturer.

Inspect your product regularly and consider replacing it if you notice:

  • cracks, tears or holes
  • damage to the rim, bowl, stem, tab, loop or other removal feature
  • a noticeable change in texture or flexibility
  • a change in shape that doesn't resolve after cleaning
  • a persistent odour that remains after appropriate cleaning
  • deterioration that affects comfort, fit, insertion or removal

Staining alone doesn't necessarily mean your cup or disc needs replacing. Discolouration is common with repeated use and is different from material damage or deterioration.

If staining is the main issue, see our guide to removing menstrual cup stains. For more detail about when to replace a product, read What Is the Lifespan of a Menstrual Cup or Disc?.

Can menstrual cups and discs be recycled?

Sometimes, but there is no single recycling stream for menstrual cups and discs across Australia.

Whether your product can be recycled depends on what it is made from, how it is constructed and what recycling facilities are available in your area.

Don't put a cup or disc into your household recycling simply because it looks like plastic or has a plastics identification number on it. Those numbers identify the type of plastic resin used. They do not tell you whether your local recycling service accepts that particular item.

The safest approach is to check:

  • the disposal information supplied by the manufacturer
  • your local council's waste and recycling guide
  • the Australasian Recycling Label, if the product carries one
  • a recycling search service such as Recycle Mate

If you can't confirm that the item is accepted, it is better to put it in household rubbish than contaminate the recycling stream.

What about silicone menstrual cups and discs?

Many menstrual cups and reusable discs are made from silicone. Although silicone can be processed by some specialist recycling facilities, it is not generally accepted through ordinary household kerbside recycling.

If your product is silicone:

  1. Check whether the manufacturer offers an end-of-life or recycling program.
  2. Check whether a specialist recycler or your local waste service accepts silicone products.
  3. If no suitable option is available, place the clean, dry product in household rubbish.

Do not put a silicone cup or disc into your yellow-lid recycling bin unless your local recycling service specifically says it is accepted.

What about TPE and other materials?

Some menstrual cups and discs are made from thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, rather than silicone. Other products may use different polymers or a combination of materials.

The material name or recycling number alone does not mean the product belongs in household recycling. Local facilities decide what they can actually sort and process.

If your cup or disc is made from TPE or another material, check the manufacturer's disposal guidance and your local recycling service. If the product isn't accepted, household rubbish is the better option.

How should you dispose of a reusable menstrual cup or disc?

For most people, the process is simple:

  1. Make sure the product really needs replacing.
  2. Check the manufacturer's disposal advice.
  3. Check whether your local recycling service accepts the product or material.
  4. If it isn't accepted, place it in your household rubbish.

Clean and dry the product first where practical. You can wrap it before disposal if you prefer a more discreet option.

You do not need to cut a cup or disc into small pieces before putting it in the rubbish.

Do not burn a menstrual cup or disc as a disposal method.

What about single-use menstrual discs?

A single-use menstrual disc is different from a reusable disc. It is designed to be worn once and then discarded rather than washed and used again.

Follow the disposal instructions supplied with the individual product. For example, FLEX advises placing its single-use FLEX Disc in general waste rather than recycling or flushing it.

Do not wash and reuse a disc labelled as single-use unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is designed for reuse.

If you're unsure which type you have, check the packaging or product instructions before using it again.

Does throwing away a reusable cup or disc undo the environmental benefit?

No. A reusable period product does not need to be recyclable at the end of its life to have reduced the amount of disposable material used while you owned it.

Life-cycle studies of menstrual cups and other reusable menstrual products have generally found lower environmental impacts than comparable disposable options, although the result depends on factors such as how long the product is used, how it is cleaned and the assumptions used in each study.

A more useful way to think about sustainability is to look at the product's whole useful life. Using the same cup or disc repeatedly can reduce the need for single-use products even if the reusable product eventually needs to go into household rubbish.

You also don't need to replace a reusable product simply because it has reached an arbitrary age. If it remains intact and the manufacturer says it is still suitable for use, continuing to use what you already own may be the more practical choice.

What if your cup or disc still works but no longer suits you?

Your body and preferences can change, so sometimes a product stops working for you even though the product itself is still in good condition.

Because cups and discs are intimate internal products, don't pass a used product on to another person unless the manufacturer operates a specific, intended reuse or recycling program that accepts used products.

If you're replacing yours because the fit no longer feels right, use the Find Your Best Fit Quiz or Menstrual Products Comparison Hub before choosing a replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Can silicone menstrual cups go in household recycling?

Usually not. Silicone menstrual cups and discs are not generally accepted through standard Australian kerbside recycling programs. Check your local council, manufacturer or a specialist recycling service before recycling one. If there is no suitable option, household rubbish is appropriate.

Can TPE menstrual cups be recycled?

Possibly, but being made from TPE does not automatically make a cup recyclable through your household recycling service. Plastics identification numbers describe the material rather than guaranteeing that the item can be processed locally, so check your council or recycling service first.

Do I need to cut up my menstrual cup before throwing it away?

No. There is generally no need to cut a menstrual cup or reusable disc into pieces before placing it in household rubbish. Clean and dry it where practical and wrap it if you prefer discreet disposal.

Can I burn an old menstrual cup?

No. Burning household products at home is not a recommended disposal method. If you cannot find an appropriate recycling pathway for your cup or disc, put it in household rubbish instead.

Do I need to replace a stained menstrual cup?

Not necessarily. Staining is common and does not by itself mean a cup is damaged or unhygienic. Look instead for signs of deterioration such as cracks, tears, permanent changes in texture or shape, persistent odour after appropriate cleaning or damage that affects fit or removal.

The simple answer

If an old menstrual cup or reusable disc genuinely needs replacing, check the manufacturer's disposal advice and your local recycling options first. If the product isn't accepted for recycling, place it in household rubbish.

Don't put it in the recycling bin based only on a plastics number and don't burn it at home. And if staining is the only issue, you may not need to replace it at all.

Related reading

This article provides general information about period product care and disposal. Always follow the instructions supplied with your individual product and check your local waste service for current recycling and disposal requirements.

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