GRAB Trust goes 'environmenstrual' after period product legislation change

Argyll and Bute environmental charity The GRAB Trust is developing a new project to ensure school students have the facts when it comes to period products.

 

It comes after a recent change to government legislation which makes it a legal duty for local authorities to ensure that items are available free to 'anyone who needs them'.

 

'The new Scottish Government Period Products Bill means there has never been a better time to discuss this historically taboo subject,' said Kerry Mackay of The GRAB Trust. 'So welcome to celebrating, educating and raising awareness for healthier and environmentally-friendly periods.

 

'Having a period costs £4,940 over a lifetime and in the UK period poverty is still a major issue.

 

'Seventy-one per cent of people with periods in the UK are embarrassed by their period and over 137,700 people with periods miss school each year because they can't afford sanitary products.'

 

To support Period Product Bill and make it as environmentally-friendly as possible, The GRAB Trust is developing a new project to educate school-aged people about the environmental, health and financial benefits of reusable period products.

 

GRAB is working to supply educational materials to all schools in Argyll and Bute, to enable them to teach the environmental, health and financial benefits of reusable period products.

 

'People who menstruate use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime,' said Kerry. 'In Scotland, 220,000 tampons and 122,000 pads are flushed down the toilet each year.

 

'Along with wet wipes, feminine hygiene products cause 300,000 sewer blockages each year costing £100 million to resolve.

 

'Menstrual products are the fifth most common item found on European beaches – and you don't want your child to decorate their sandcastle with tampon towers!

 

'Even proper disposal of single-use menstrual products generates 200,000 tonnes of waste per year in the UK. Period pads can contain up to 90 per cent plastic. Manufacturers don't legally have to state what's in period products.

 

'Period products have been found to be a considerable source of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, birth defects, asthma and allergies.'

 

Kerry added that 'everyone deserves equal access to healthy, eco-friendly period products'.

 

'There are plenty of options to suit you when switching to environmentally-friendly re-usable period products,' she said. 'Simple swaps include reusable pads, period underwear, and reusable tampon applicators.

 

'Menstrual cups are great for active people but take a little more practice to use.

 

'Reusable period products cost 88 to 98 per cent less than disposable ones over the product lifetime. Using a menstrual cup can save up to £3,700 over a lifetime!'

 

Any individual or organisation that would like to help shape the project, or to receive more information can contact The GRAB Trust by emailing info@grab.org.uk

 

To access free period products and information, visit www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/periodprovision

 

For discount codes on more environmentally friendly period products and much more, visit www.wen.org.uk/environmenstrualweek