Hi Super Supporters!
Today I’m sharing round up of the campaigns results this year, what’s coming next, as well as related petitions and actions that you can get involved with through the festive period!
2020 has been an incredibly challenging for so many people and I want to thank you for all your support with the campaign throughout the year – it wouldn’t be having the impact it is without you. Despite everything that has happened, the actions we have taken together have sparked new conversations with decision makers and led to fantastic changes in the period industry.
The campaign results in 2020:
- Aldi and Superdrug classified plastic tampon applicators as an ‘unnecessary use of plastic’ and removed them from their own-brand products.
- Lil-Lets, Superdrug, and Morrisons developed and launched their own sustainable ranges.
- Boots launched menstrual cups.
- Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Boots, and Waitrose extended the amount of sustainable period choices in-store, with some stocking reusable applicators, and period pants.
Period Poverty Funding:
Alongside this campaign I’ve been calling on governments and local authorities to spend their funding on eco-friendly products, which has been successful in Wales where:
- Bridgend, Cardiff, and Monmouthshire councils have followed Caerphilly’s footsteps in committing to spend 100% of their funding one eco-friendly products.
- The Welsh period dignity round-table, headed by Jane Hutt MS, which I’m part of, led to Welsh Government stipulating that 50% of all period poverty funding in Wales must be spent on eco-friendly products.
What’s coming for 2021? There will be more action happening in 2021 to put further pressure on manufacturers that refuse to take responsibility, and there will be new updates from some decision makers! I will also be calling on various governments to follow Wales’ example by spending their period funding sustainably.
It is a really difficult time of year, especially with the UK Government’s latest announcement on Saturday. My heart goes out to everyone and I hope that wherever you are, that you enjoy the festive break as much as you possibly can at this uncertain time.
Thank you again for all your support, I couldn’t do this without you!
Ella :)
Twitter: @ella_daish Instagram: @elladaish Facebook: @elladaish1
#EndPeriodPlastic
Related petitions and actions to get involved with over the festive period:
Period Tax – Did you know that there is a 20% tax on period pants because the UK Government doesn’t recognise them as a menstrual product? In January the 5% tax is being removed from other products like tampons, which is fantastic news, but it’s wrong that period pants aren’t included. This unfair tax is literally pants and makes them more expensive for people. Please sign here to call on the UK Government to axe the tax!
Free Period Products for All – On November 24th 2020, Scotland became the first country to provide free period products to everyone, which is incredible news. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see England following Scotland’s example? You can sign your name calling for England to do the same here.
Ask your school to sign-up to the Governments period scheme – The UK Government is making free products available at schools and colleges, but only 40% of have signed up to scheme, meaning that many are going without the products they need! Check out Free Period’s website for more information, including email templates that you can send to your local institution. Eco-friendly period products are available to order, so please encourage them to choose those items too! If you work at a school or college you can order them through the Government website here.