East Cambridgeshire District Council has joined a new initiative designed to help reduce the five million* disposable menstrual products which it estimates go to landfill from across the district every year.

On average people using menstrual products use 264-single use menstrual items every year. And with the average disposable towel containing enough plastic to make 4 carrier bags it’s clear more needs to be done to help reduce the environmental impact.
To help combat this, a new initiative is being launched across Cambridgeshire to offer re-useable period cups for the discounted rate of £5 instead of £23.50.

Funded by RECAP and in partnership with Mooncup, the cups are being offered on a first come first served basis via Mooncup’s website.

Disposable menstrual products contribute significantly to landfill waste, with the UK producing 200,000 tonnes annually. By offering reusable menstrual cups, the council aims to tackle this environmental challenge by enabling residents to adopt more sustainable habits.

Cllr Julia Huffer, environmental champion for East Cambridgeshire, said: “We all have a responsibility to the planet to take whatever small steps we can to help reduce our impact on the environment. This is just one of the many, many ways people can help out. This initiative shows the impact removing just one thing from our bin can have on our environment, which in turn helps to create a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire.”

Bryony Rothwell, Waste Partnership Manager at RECAP, stated: “This programme reflects our commitment to waste reduction. By providing such incentives, we’re hoping to enable our residents to make sustainable, cost-effective choices.”

Emily Smith, Head of B2B, UK and International at Mooncup, said: "We are over the moon to have joined ranks with both East Cambridgeshire District Council and RECAP. By providing reusable menstrual cups, we're not only just improving accessibility to sustainable health-led products, but we're also helping to ensure that no one is held back by their period.

“With this initiative, we are hoping to support 300 women from across Cambridgeshire with switching to reusable period products.”

*Figs based on ONS data for the number of women aged between 13 and 51 living in East Cambridgeshire. The council recognises not all women menstruate and also recognises not all people who menstruate identify as women, but believes the figures are a good indication of the number of products either going direct to landfill, or to landfill via the sewerage system.