A large number of products made of synthetic polymers are used in everyday life, significantly contributing to the generation of non-biodegradable waste. Among them, sanitary pads represent one of the major environmental challenges, as they contain synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester, which improve functional properties but make it harder to biodegrade after use. In this study, six types of sanitary pads were analyzed: Always, Libresse, Jessa, Jessa Cotton, Jasmin, and Racman. The first five are disposable pads, while the Racman pad is designed for multiple use. Disposable pads consist of a nonwoven top sheet made of polypropylene, an absorbent core made of cellulose combined with a superabsorbent polymer, and an impermeable polyethylene back sheet. The Jessa Cotton pad has a cotton top layer, while the Jasmin pad's top layer is made of 100% organic cotton. The Racman pad is constructed of three knitted layers: a cotton-elastane top layer, a bamboo viscose-polyester absorbent layer, and a cotton-polyester bottom layer coated with a PUL (polyurethane laminate) barrier. The results revealed distinct differences in structure and functional performance. The Jasmin pad achieved the highest absorbency (230.4 ml), air permeability (3.85 l/min), and water vapor permeability (1202.5 g/m²·day). The Racman pad demonstrated the highest abrasion resistance (no rupture after 20,000 cycles) and the greatest tensile strength in the dry state (1.762 N/mm²). The analysis of relative absorbency showed that the middle layer retained most of the liquid (73–98%), while in the Racman pad, the middle and bottom layers contributed almost equally. The results confirm that the relationship between porosity, thickness, and fiber composition significantly affects absorbency and comfort. Further development of sustainable materials, such as cellulosic composites, bamboo viscose, and biopolymers, could enhance the comfort and performance of reusable pads while reducing their environmental impact.
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