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
