Raised in Brazil’s Amazon, the world’s largest forest, Bruna Rodrigues came to New Zealand in 2005. In 2020, she set out to establish an affordable and sustainable period products range to put on all large retailers’ shelves.
It was her personal experience of switching from disposables to period underwear that made Bruna realise what a gamechanger it is – practical, convenient, comfortable, affordable and environmentally-friendly. That experience inspired her to create her own Mint. Global.
Where period underwear is usually made from cotton, Mint. has opted for bamboo, which is not only a more sustainable fabric but also anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, longer lasting and is a much softer one.
“Bamboo is a sustainable alternative that grows quickly and effectively without the need for pesticides, fertilisers or subsequent harvests,” says Bruna.
Another huge point of difference is that the Mint. range is only about half the price of other brands: “Period underwear and menstrual cups can be expensive. The initial cost is often a reason for customers to not make the purchase. We want our product to be accessible and affordable for all, which is why we’ve decided to keep the profit margins low. It’s all because of the goal – for everyone to make the switch.”
“Tampons, pads and panty liners, along with their packaging and individual wrapping, generate a huge amount of waste as an average woman goes through 11,000 disposable tampons and/or pads during her active menstrual life. If we stop using them, it will save about 3,000 tons of waste per year in New Zealand alone.”
Bruna’s end goal is to completely eradicate disposable period products from shelves by 2025. Retail giant The Warehouse Group was impressed by Bruna’s vision and the message behind the brand and has supported her by adding Mint. to their range of period products.
