Pantiliners, pads, and other absorbent products can make daily life easier for people living with urinary incontinence. For people with lighter leakage, a pantiliner may be enough protection, while others may need a more absorbent incontinence pad or garment.

Because many of these products are designed to be used once and thrown away, they can also create a significant amount of waste.

A recent review examined the environmental impact of urinary incontinence care and explored ways to make continence care more sustainable while keeping patient comfort, safety, and effective treatment at the center of care.

Why Do Pantiliners and Incontinence Pads Affect the Environment?

Most commonly used absorbent continence products are disposable and are made using materials from fossil fuels and forestry resources.

According to the review, the production and extraction of materials account for an estimated 60% to 90% of the total environmental footprint of incontinence products. In countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, disposable pads are estimated to make up about 5% to 8% of municipal waste.

That means even smaller products, such as pantiliners used regularly for bladder leakage, can contribute to waste over time when they are single-use.

Treating Urinary Incontinence May Also Reduce the Need for Pantiliners and Pads

One of the most sustainable approaches is to address the underlying bladder problem whenever possible.

Depending on the type and cause of urinary incontinence, treatment may include:

• Pelvic floor physical therapy
• Medication
• Surgery
• Other individualized bladder treatments

Successful treatment may reduce the number of leakage episodes and, in turn, reduce how often a person needs pantiliners, pads, or other continence products.

The goal is not to use fewer products at the expense of comfort. Instead, the review emphasizes prevention, appropriate diagnosis, effective treatment, and choosing products based on each person’s individual needs.

Are Reusable Products an Option?

The review found that washable, reusable incontinence products generally have a lower carbon footprint than disposable products.

For someone who normally uses pantiliners or light-absorbency pads, reusable absorbent underwear or washable liners may be an option in some situations.

However, reusable products may not be right for everyone. The best choice depends on factors such as:

• How much leakage you experience
• Whether you need light protection, such as a pantiliner, or heavier absorbency
• Your mobility and independence
• Skin health
• Access to laundry facilities
• Comfort and personal preference
• Cost
• How often the product needs to be changed
• Other medical needs

A continence nurse or other health care professional can help determine which level of absorbency provides enough protection without using more material than necessary.

What Is the Most Sustainable Approach to Continence Care?

The waste hierarchy shown in the review recommends addressing continence care in this order:

1. Prevent incontinence when possible through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
2. Reduce unnecessary material use by matching pantiliners, pads, and other products to the amount of protection actually needed.
3. Reuse washable products when appropriate.
4. Recycle materials when recycling systems are available.
5. Recover usable materials during waste processing.
6. Dispose of products as the final option.

The authors emphasize that preventing and treating urinary incontinence should come before simply trying to manage the waste it creates.

Does This Mean I Should Stop Using Pantiliners or Disposable Pads?

No.

Pantiliners and disposable incontinence pads can provide important protection, comfort, and confidence. Environmental concerns should not prevent someone from using a product they need.

Instead, if you are using pantiliners or pads every day for bladder leakage, it may be worth discussing the symptoms with your health care provider.

You might ask:

• Is there a treatable reason for my bladder leakage?
• Would pelvic floor therapy or another treatment help?
• Is a pantiliner providing the right amount of protection, or should I use a bladder-leakage product designed for urine?
• Am I using the right level of absorbency?
• Could reusable liners or absorbent underwear work for me?
• Are there ways to reduce product use without compromising comfort or hygiene?

The goal is better bladder care first, with more sustainable product choices when they are practical and appropriate.

The Bottom Line

Pantiliners, incontinence pads, and other absorbent products can be helpful for managing bladder leakage, but disposable products also contribute to health care waste.

This review suggests that the most effective way to reduce that environmental impact is to prevent and treat urinary incontinence when possible, use products matched to the amount of leakage, consider reusable options when appropriate, and recycle materials where systems exist.

For patients, sustainability does not mean sacrificing comfort or effective care. It means finding the treatment and products that work best for you while avoiding unnecessary waste.

About the Review

This paper is a mini review, meaning the authors summarized existing research and current approaches rather than conducting a new clinical trial.

The authors also note that more research is needed to compare the full environmental impact of different continence treatments and care pathways.

Source

Bus MTJ, Verheijen ECJ, Vaittinen T, Holzhauer C, Bangma CH, Leliveld-Kors A. Beyond the Waste: Reducing the Environmental Burden of Urinary Incontinence. European Urology Focus. 2025;11:201–203.

This information is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your health care provider about urinary incontinence treatment and which continence products may be appropriate for your needs.