h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was recently in the Scottish highlands and started menstruating. Before going I had not considered the problem of tampon disposal and hence ended up burying 3 used tampons carefully as I reasoned they were biodegradable. Since returning home I have looked this up and realise that this was the wrong thing to have done as the Wilderness societies all recommend bringing them home with you. I hate the idea that I have left a trail of nasty rubbish in the beautiful Scottish hills. Since my return I have purchased a reusable cup which should prevent this problem in future. Does anyone know just how bad a problem what I did is, and how long they will take to biodegrade?

It does take around 6 months for them to biodegrade, but don't worry too much. Most people throw cigarette butts all over the floor and they can take a decade to biodegrade.