Saanvi Kalia, a high school student, has founded EcoFlo, a business dedicated to providing toxin-free menstrual products that promote sustainability while addressing access disparities. Inspired by her childhood experiences at science camp and motivated by the environmental impact of disposable menstrual items—approximately 12 billion pads and seven million tampons are discarded annually in the U.S.—Kalia sought alternatives after noticing personal plastic waste.
Launched when she was just 17 years old, EcoFlo specializes in reusable period underwear designed to meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100 requirements, ensuring they are free from over 1,000 harmful substances including PFAS chemicals linked to health risks. Each pair can absorb up to 45 milliliters of blood for four-to-eight hours compared with multiple disposable options.
In addition to selling these environmentally friendly products priced at $25 each (which could save users around $200 yearly), EcoFlo collaborates with organizations like I Support the Girls on initiatives aiding those lacking basic menstruation supplies—are globally due to inadequate resources.
Through donations tied directly into sales strategies—including one donated product per purchase—Kalia aims not only for profitability but also social responsibility within women's health contexts.
By fostering a model that intertwines commerce with compassion, EcoFlo not only addresses the pressing needs of underserved communities but also empowers consumers to contribute meaningfully to social change with every purchase they make.
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High school student creates game-changing product to combat major issue with menstrual products: ‘The least intimidating [to use]’
High school student Saanvi Kalia has turned her passion for sustainability into a growing business, providing girls and women with toxin-free menstrual products.
Susan Elizabeth Turek
