A few weeks ago, on March 20th, I attended the Period Project ’s Reusable Menstrual Product Info Session. I walked in not knowing what to expect. I imagined graphic diagrams and tense, uncomfortable faces and strained conversations, but I found none of these things. The attendees were a mix of staff and students, some longtime reusable-loving folks, and others who had never tried a reusable product. It was a really cool mix and made for some great conversation. Here’s everything you need to know about The Period Project’s Reusable Menstrual Product Info Session and why you should sign up for the next one! Info session intro The info session kicked off with a game of sustainability jeopardy, led by Reanna from the Student Health and Wellness- Sexual Health- volunteer team. Reanna asked us questions about menstrual products and sustainability and if we got them right, we got a prize. Did you know that it takes a tampon 500 years to decompose? I certainly didn’t but after I learned that f...

During the pandemic, a group of students working on a project for Ventures and the Office of Campus Sustainability came up with an idea to give away environmentally friendly menstrual products for free at uOttawa. Giving away free menstrual products is not a new idea, but it is new to uOttawa, and targeting environmentally friendly, local products is entirely novel. The students created an  Instagram account and got some funding from uOttawa's Student Life Services, UOSU, and Facilities Service. The Office of Campus Sustainability and Sanitary Services created a working committee with student representatives and got to work installing dispensers and spreading the news. It has been over a year since the project kicked-off and the Office of Campus Sustainability has completed the first Impact Report for the Period Project . And so far, the numbers look very promising. Bottom line, 13,149 menstrual products have been distributed through the distribution machines and at partner loc...