Menstrual Cup (silicone)

Material Composition Assumptions

Medical-grade silicone comprises the primary material in menstrual cups, typically representing approximately 95% of the product weight at around 38 grams for a standard-sized cup. The remaining 5% consists of colorants, stabilizers, and processing aids used during manufacturing. Some alternative products use natural latex instead of silicone, though medical-grade silicone dominates the market due to its biocompatibility and durability characteristics. The material selection directly influences both manufacturing emissions and product longevity, with high-quality silicone enabling the extended lifespan that drives the favorable environmental profile of these products.

Manufacturing Geography

China serves as the primary manufacturing hub for silicone menstrual cups, accounting for approximately 70% of global production capacity. The concentration in this region stems from established silicone processing infrastructure, medical device manufacturing expertise, and proximity to raw material suppliers. Chinese manufacturing facilities typically operate on a grid intensity of 555 gCO2e/kWh, which significantly influences the carbon footprint of the energy-intensive silicone molding and curing processes. Secondary production occurs in Malaysia, Germany, and the United States, with these regions generally offering lower grid intensities but higher labor costs.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	3.0	0% (baseline)
Malaysia	630 gCO2e/kWh	3.2	+7%
Germany	420 gCO2e/kWh	2.7	-10%
United States	385 gCO2e/kWh	2.5	-17%
Costa Rica	35 gCO2e/kWh	1.8	-40%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Factory-specific energy consumption data for silicone molding, curing, and quality control processes, including renewable energy certificates or on-site generation documentation.

2. Detailed bill of materials specifying silicone grade, colorant types, and any additives, along with supplier-specific emission factors for each material component.

3. Transportation logistics documentation covering shipping methods, distances, and packaging materials from manufacturing facility to distribution centers.

4. End-of-life sterilization energy consumption data based on actual consumer usage patterns, including regional variations in cleaning practices and energy sources.

5. Product durability testing results demonstrating actual lifespan under normal use conditions, as this directly affects the amortization of manufacturing emissions.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents lifecycle emissions for one menstrual cup used over a 5-year period, including manufacturing, distribution, consumer use phase energy, and end-of-life disposal.

• Scope 3 dominates the emission profile due to the energy required for regular washing and periodic sterilization throughout the product’s extended use phase.

• The functional unit assumes 60 cycles per year over 5 years, with washing after each use and monthly sterilization using electric heating methods.

• Transportation packaging and retail packaging materials are excluded due to high variability in distribution channels.

• Consumer behavior variations in cleaning frequency and sterilization methods represent the largest uncertainty in the assessment, with potential impact variations of 30-50%.