CUPE 3906 Women’s Committee Launches ‘Period Poverty’ Campaign

Brad WalchukUncategorized

Our amazing Women’s Committee has been working on our period poverty initiative since September 2019. Last year we were able to get menstrual products in women’s and (some) all-gender washrooms across campus. This year we wanted to get a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative – menstrual cups! Menstrual cups are eco-friendly alternatives to tampons and pads. It Is an environmentally friendly solution compared to the conventional alternatives that exist on the market today. Here’s some more information on menstrual cups:  
  • Menstrual cups can last up to a decade because they are made of medical-grade silicone, rubber or latex
  • Can also reduce plastic waste by using a menstrual cup
  • One cup produces an estimated 0.4% of the plastic waste that single-use pads build up, or 6% of that created by tampons in the span of 10 years
  • Silicone is a pretty green ingredient. The material is derived from silica, a type of sand, and as it degrades, it will slowly go back to its original state; the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust and one that isn’t hazardous to the environment.
We also created a poster (see attached/below) that we will be distributing across campus for further member outreach. As of now, members can email EQUITY@CUPE.3906.ORG to arrange pick up of their menstrual cups (available in medium, or large- designed specifically for those who have given birth). We are also looking into mailing menstrual cup to members who may not feel comfortable/safe picking up their cup in office (more information on this to follow) 
 
We thank everyone for their support and look forward to any feedback!
 
Shirleen, Amelia and Alexis