Museum of Menstruation

Retailer Announcement for Plastic Applicator Tampons, Playtex, 1973.

In 1973, Playtex introduced the first tampon with a plastic applicator, which made insertion easier than ever. However, the disposable plastic posed a greater threat to the environment than degradable cardboard applicators. Many people still flush the tampon and applicator after use, so the nonbiodegradable applicators frequently end up in rivers and oceans, where they pose a threat to human and animal health.