North Ayrshire Council joins communities and its partners to pledge its support this week for Environmenstrual Week 2024 (21-25 October).
As part of the Council’s climate change pledge to become a net zero local authority by 2030, our Community Facilities Resources team is encouraging residents to switch to sustainable period products.
The continued threat of the Cost-of-Living crisis is making hygiene products unaffordable for many with recent data showing that one in 5 people in Scotland are impacted.
This has to change.
Disposal of period products is also an environmental concern. Traditional one time-use sanitary pads with plastic wrappers, and tampons with plastic applicators, pose a threat with over 340,000 tampons and pantyliners estimated to be flushed down the toilet in Scotland every day.
In 2017, North Ayrshire Council became the first local authority to provide period products in all public buildings, completely free of charge. This was before it became law in 2021 for all local authorities to provide them to all residents.
Although the feedback has been great, in a recent community consultation the public expressed that they would like more choice of free eco-friendly washable products.
In response, the Period Dignity team who spearhead our products provision are doing exactly that, this Environmenstrual Week (21 to 25th October).
Across our 16 community larders, we will stock a range of sustainable ‘Hey Girls’ menstrual cups and reusable pads to help people to take the next step in their menstruation journey using products that are kind to the pocket and the planet too.
If you need help topping up your weekly shopping or accessing sustainable period products, you can find your nearest larder on our map: North Ayrshire Fairer Food Community Food Places – Google My Maps
If you have an experience to share, please get in touch with the Period Dignity Team and help us shape the Service Improvement Plan. Email them now at: perioddignity@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
*Source: Zero Waste Scotland research 2023
Your menstruation matters to us…
This Environmenstrual Week, there will be a series of pop-up events across three of our community larders this week, where residents can meet with local sustainable period products manufacturer TSC-Eco to get advice and try their washable pads and period pants.
- Argyle Community Centre Larder (Saltcoats) on Wednesday, 23 October – 11am to 4pm
- Cranberry Moss Community Centre Larder (Kilwinning) on Thursday, 24 October – 11am to 3pm
- Dalry Community Centre Larder on Wednesday 23rd October – 6pm to 7.30pm
Why not pop along and consider making the switch to sustainable products this Environmenstrual Week?
