RETA by Thinx, US RETA by Thinx, US
RETA by Thinx, US RETA by Thinx, US
RETA by Thinx, US RETA by Thinx, US

Rethink recycling. Period

21 : 02 : 2017 Thinx : Whole-system Thinking : Sustainability

US – Thinx has launched a re-usable tampon applicator designed to limit the quantity of plastic that ends up in landfill sites.

  • The applicator is made from medical-grade silicon and is sold with a cap for hygiene purposes
  • In the US, about 12% of municipal waste is derived from plastic with only 8% now recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The eco-friendly tampon applicator, RETA, can be used either with regular non-applicator tampons or the brand’s own tampons, which have been created from organic cotton to make them more sustainable.

The applicator has been developed using the same material as the menstrual cup, and works in a similar way to allow the user to rinse it after each use, replace the protective cover and place the applicator back in their bag.

While RETA does not eliminate the production of waste, it provides an alternative for women who are conscious of the impact they have on the environment but find the menstrual cup either uncomfortable or impractical. According to Thinx’s website, seven billion tampon applicators end up in landfill sites each year, a figure that the brand’s co-founder and CEO Miki Agrawal describes as ‘too much to bear’.

The Big Picture

In line with Whole-system Thinking, brands are revolutionising the way in which consumers think about feminine hygiene products by offering a more convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.

Discover More Daily Signals
The Trend: Women’s Sports Economy

Daily Signals

The Trend: Women’s Sports Economy

Summer 2025 will be remembered as a landmark season, shaping the future for women’s sport. While star athletes such as British football player Chlo...
Sports : Health : Wellness
The Big Idea: Muscle Longevity

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Muscle Longevity

Muscle health is emerging as the next frontier of longevity lifestyles, with consumers increasingly focused on building and preserving strength wel...
Health : Wellness : Sport
The Campaign: Oura flips the script on ageing in new Give Us the Finger campaign

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Oura flips the script on ageing in new Give Us the Finger campaign

In June 2025, wearable health tracker Oura launched a campaign challenging cultural norms around ageing 
Health : Wellness : Sport
The Viewpoint: Democratising wellness

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Democratising wellness

In 2025, Neko Health opened UK clinics in Manchester and London (Covent Garden and Shoreditch), with the latter becoming the brand’s new flagship l...
Health : Wellness : Sport
The Space: Nike and Palace build a playground for London’s creative youth

Daily Signals

The Space: Nike and Palace build a playground for London’s creative youth

In November 2025, Nike and Palace joined forces to launch Manor Place, a free cultural and sporting hub in South London that brings skateboarding, ...
Health : Wellness : Sport
The Trend: Mood-matching Fashion

Daily Signals

The Trend: Mood-matching Fashion

Fashion discovery is evolving, guided by emotional cues and powered by generative AI. Rather than surfacing static product results, next-gen tools ...
Fashion : Retail : Search And Discovery
The Big Idea: Viva Tech 2025: Five Sustainable Fashion Start-ups

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Viva Tech 2025: Five Sustainable Fashion Start-ups

At VivaTech 2025, fashion-focused innovators showcased how AI can be used to tackle the industry’s sustainability challenge.
Fashion : Technology : VivaTech
The Campaign: Depop reframes second-hand fashion as secret to personal style

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Depop reframes second-hand fashion as secret to personal style

Fashion resale platform Depop (now a subsidiary of Etsy) has launched its largest US campaign to date. Created by Uncommon Creative Studio, Where T...
Fashion : Secondhand Market : Retail
The Viewpoint: Wearable Skincare

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Wearable Skincare

Sylva’s founder Tallulah Harlech was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was just nine years old. LS:N Global spoke to the fashion stylist and consul...
Fashion : Skincare : Wellness
The Space: Iris van Herpen unveils Sympoiesis at Paris Haute Couture Week

Daily Signals

The Space: Iris van Herpen unveils Sympoiesis at Paris Haute Couture Week

At Paris Haute Couture Week, Iris van Herpen unveiled Sympoiesis, a collection steeped in material innovation.
Fashion : Couture : Biofabrication
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN