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Key Facts About Period Poverty and The Environment

  • Free period products are not currently available to everyone who needs them and there is an urgent need to increase supplies to food banks and people living in poverty.
  • There is still low uptake in some primary schools of free products available through the government scheme and recent data commissioned by a group of charities shows that nearly half (44%) of girls have difficulty accessing free period products or feel too embarrassed to ask for products at school. (Grazia 26.05.23)
  • Each period using disposable products can cost between £10 – £40 (wen.org.uk)
  • Currently most period pads are made of 90% plastic (Natracare 2018)
  • Disposal of single use period products generate 200,000 tons of waste per year (Knowaste)
  • Period products are contributing to major sewage blockages and sea pollution. It costs £88 million a year to unblock sewers blocked by menstrual products and other non-degradable waste materials (water.org.uk)
  • Many period products contain toxic chemicals such as pesticide residues and fragrances which are bad for the body and the planet. (ethicalconsumer.org)

ST/art Key Messages

  • A new government strategy is needed to provide free ecological and reusable products to all those living in poverty
  • There is a need to improve messages to schools and colleges to increase access and distribution of free products
  • Public campaigns are needed to encourage the switch to reusable and plastic free products
  • Ethical cotton sourcing and organic cotton products need to be adopted by manufacturers
  • Manufacturers should be required to publish ingredients lists on period products

ST/art is supporting two national charities that are campaigning to end period poverty and environmental pollution from period products. These charities provide important information to back their campaigns on their websites.

Bloody Good Period
City to Sea

If you would like to donate directly to these charities, please visit their websites.

Recent News

BBC News Report by Lucy Hooker – Business Reporter
01.01.2024

Period pants could get cheaper after VAT is removed

Period underwear could be set to fall in price after the government said the product would no longer be subject to value added tax (VAT) from 1 January. Removing the tax should make the pants, seen as a greener alternative to tampons and sanitary towels, up to £2 cheaper per pair, the Treasury said. The move follows a campaign by retailers and charities for the tax to be lifted.

Other period products such as tampons and pads have been exempt since 2021. But period pants, which have become increasingly popular over the last decade, were classified as garments rather than period products, and so were still subject to the tax. Following the “Say Pants To the Tax” campaign backed by retailer Marks & Spencer and period pants brand Wuka last year, the chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement that the tax would be lifted for period underwear too.

Whitstable Whistler, December 2023

‘Ending the Taboo’

Click here to view the article.

March 2024

Good News

Boots have launched an own-brand sustainable Femcare range, including reusable Menstrual Cups and Plant-Based Applicator Compact Tampons. They report that they are taking steps to make menstrual products sustainable and plastic-free, using plant-based materials wherever possible to reduce the impact on the environment. Actions include:

  • 40% reduction in the plastic used for the outer wrapping of sanitary towels
  • Removal of plastic applicators and the introduction of NEW 97% Plant
  • Based Applicator Compact Tampons
  • Introduction of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved recycled card to boxed products
  • Addition of a ‘do not flush’ logo to all applicator tampons
  • Introduction of FSC pulp to make pantyliners and towels.

#RecycleYourCycle