We are supporting a new scheme that aims to tackle period waste, whilst also addressing a number of other issues around women’s health and period poverty.
The Herts Sustainable Periods Scheme, developed by Hertfordshire Waste Partnership along with Sustainable Hertfordshire, offers 15% off reusable period products and follows the success of the Herts Reusable Nappy Scheme and increased efforts to reduce waste across Hertfordshire.
Councillor Seamus Quilty, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Herts Sustainable Periods Scheme to help raise awareness of the different options of reusable period products. Using these products results in less waste, financial savings and they are even proven to be better for physical health.
“The discount offered through this scheme is a step forward to achieving less reliance on single-use products, as well as shining a light on a issues such as period poverty; an often unspoken about issue.”
So, what’s the issue with traditional single-use period products?
- Many period products can contain up to 90% plastic, with a pack of pads containing five plastic bags worth on average. Most tampons contain plastic too (not just the applicator but the absorbent part too).
- It is estimated that 4.6 million of these are flushed down toilets every single day! Apart from being harmful to marine life, disposable products flushed down the toilet contribute to another problem – fatbergs. Fatbergs are huge masses of period products, wet wipes, nappies, fats and oils which cause blockages in our sewers.
- Period products can contain toxic industrial chemicals like BPA, dioxins, pesticides, bleach and fragrances - manufacturers don’t legally have to state what is in their products.
- During lockdown 30% of girls in the UK aged 14-21 years struggled to afford or access period products. With reusables, they are always available.
- People who have periods use more than 11,000 disposable period products in their lifetime.
- Reusable period products have a lower environmental impact than single-use period products. The menstrual cup is substantially better for the environment than other product options*.
This scheme is part of a wider project that will work to increase education around reusable period projects across Hertfordshire Schools in conjunction with the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) and the Sustainability team at Hertfordshire County Council.
Find out more about the Herts Sustainable Periods Scheme at Herts Sustainable Periods | Hertfordshire County Council
Find out more about the Herts Reusable Nappy Scheme at Herts Reusable Nappies | Hertfordshire County Council
*Menstrual products and sustainable alternatives report 2021 - Life Cycle Initiative
Posted on Thursday 7th April 2022