Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) partnered with award-winning social enterprise Hey Girls to offer residents of Huntingdonshire free reusable period products.
Hey Girls period cup, sterilising pot, and eco travel bag
Working with Huntingdon Library, St Neots Library, and food banks, HDC promoted and distributed free reusable period cups.
Our current challenges
In 2019 alone, Huntingdonshire sent a staggering 260 tonnes of menstrual products to the general waste stream. This issue isn't specific to Huntingdonshire as the disposal of such products generates 200,000 tonnes of waste annually in the UK.
Non-recyclable waste produced by Huntingdonshire in a day
Switching to reusable menstrual products has the potential to drastically reduce this waste. A single individual who switches from single-use to reusable products will save on average 264 products per year or 5,544 period products over a lifetime.
The solution
Give reusable period products a try and benefit the environment!
We gave away 200 reusable sanitary cups, helping to prevent around 52,800 period products from entering the waste stream annually.
Additionally, making the switch to reusable cups offers significant financial savings - an individual in their 20s could save approximately £4,805 over their lifetime.
About the Cup Combo Kit
The Cup Combo Kit offers two sustainable period products in one. The pack includes a period cup and sterilising pot together in a stylish (and sustainable) eco bag. Includes 1 x small or large period cup and 1 x sterilising pot in an eco-bag.
Made with 100% medical grade silicone and latex-free. The period cups have been rated '9 best menstrual cups for a more eco-friendly period' by The Independent.
If you're new to using a cup, the first step is to choose the right size, as each person's body is different.
The small cup is typically recommended for those under 30 who have not given birth vaginally or have a lighter flow. The large cup is better suited for those over 30, who have given birth vaginally, or experience a heavier menstrual flow.
Once you've selected your cup, you'll want to sterilise it with your sterilising pot (provided). Inserting the cup may take a bit of practice, but the key is to find a comfortable folding technique, like the "C" or "Punch Down" fold, and to relax your muscles during insertion.
Watch the video tutorial on how to insert a menstrual cup.
Did you know?
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Disposal of single-use menstrual products (tampons, pads, and applicators) generates 200,000 tonnes of waste per year in the UK.
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Each period can cost on average £13, that's from £156 a year and £6045 over a lifetime.
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Most single-use disposable menstrual pads can be made of up to 90% plastic.
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In 2019 alone, Huntingdonshire sent a staggering 260 tonnes of menstrual products to the general waste stream.
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All Hey Girls packaging, down to the postage bags and tape is biodegradable.