Belfast City Council’s Environmental Education and Outreach Team have been offering residents a free pack of reusable period pads, or a reusable menstrual cup, for them to manage their periods in a more sustainable, and waste free way.
Many people are restricted from trying out a more sustainable period product because of the cost, but with this scheme the council fully funds the products, allowing residents to try them for free.
We have seen a huge uptake in this scheme, with 2,170 people applying and receiving their free pack from our partner social enterprise organisation, Hey Girls, since January 2023. During the pilot scheme the year before we had 3,159 applications.
The packs are delivered to the resident with minimal packaging and in a completely plastic-free, reusable pouch. This helps to reduce plastic and keep the product as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.