Conventional sanitary pads contain up to 90% plastic and remain unchanged in the landfill for around 600 years after disposal

Around 50% of the world’s population menstruates. The average woman uses approximately 11,000 disposable pads or tampons in her lifetime, which results in around 300 pounds of feminine hygiene related waste per woman.

It really does add up.

Planet or plastic?

Around 20 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into North American landfills every year. Plastic waste ends up in a landfill or, even worse in the oceans, rivers and beaches.

Banana plantation agro-waste

Sparkle: natural sanitary pads made from sustainable plant-based ingredients

We've created the world's first all-natural sanitary napkin made with a combination of bamboo fiber, banana fiber, and corn starch that can biodegrade around 6 months after disposal. With sustainable and plastic-free products, Sparkle aims to reduce plastic pollution and support a circular economy.

The law does not require menstrual hygiene product manufacturers to disclose ingredients. At Sparkle, we hold ourselves to higher standards.

It's simply a better pad

We have carefully chosen sustainable, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your skin and kind to the planet. 

Say goodbye to plastics, perfumes and chlorines with all-natural Sparkle pads made from banana fiber, bamboo fiber, and corn starch.

TechCrunch Top Pick 

We were selected as a TechCrunch Top Pick in the health category as one of the top five start-ups from across the world for Disrupt SF 2019.

We have spent over two years developing patent-pending technology to efficiently and economically extract banana fiber and to make sustainable, plastic free, chemical-free and affordable feminine hygiene products. 

In the US, we are at pre-launch stage. 

In India, we have sold over 100,000 pads and reduced over 1000+ tons of banana stem agro-waste

We’ve also received traction in the media, including coverage in major outlets and industry publications.

Health and eco-conscious women looking for a natural alternative love Sparkle products!

Direct-to-consumer

We aim to sell our products directly to customers through our website, as well as via other major online marketplaces in the U.S.

Online marketing strategy

We aim to reach eco-conscious and health-conscious girls and women through social media channels, beauty influencers, and prominent press contacts. Our goal is to spread awareness about sustainable menstrual hygiene products  and offer women plastic-free and chemical-free alternatives.

Disrupting the multi-billion dollar disposable hygiene products market

World's first sanitary pad made with a combination of banana fiber, bamboo and corn starch

The majority of other start-ups in the feminine hygiene product industry simply import, market and sell sanitary pads that are made by other private label manufacturers. They essentially trade re-branded sanitary pads. There is no innovation involved.

We knew we had to develop a brand new product that not only solves real life problems faced by millions of women worldwide, but also offers sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

Making sustainability affordable for everyone

Our competitive advantages 

Availability of raw material

• We have collaborated with local farmers and other key stakeholders that allow us to procure a regular supply of banana fiber and other raw materials.

Ability to develop biodegradable baby diapers in the future

• Similar technology and raw materials can be used to manufacture the world’s first baby diaper made from banana fiber, bamboo fiber and corn starch.

Our journey

Chirag Virani, Co-Founder and COO

With over seven years of work experience and an academic background from Canada, USA, Europe, and India, Chirag guides Sparkle in the areas of product design, manufacturing and business development.

• Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University, Canada.
• Master in Business Administration from Ryerson University, Canada.
• Post-graduation program from UC-Berkeley, USA.

Hetal Virani, Co-Founder and CEO

With over eight years of experience, Hetal leads day-to-day planning, implementing and managing all finance and operations related activities.

• C.A. from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
• C.W.A. from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
• C.S. from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
• Bachelor of Law from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, India.
• Bachelor of Commerce from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, India.