FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS FOR
SCHOOLS IN CANADA

Providing free feminine hygiene products in school restrooms is an important and equitable initiative for several reasons. Here are some key points along with approximate costs for dispensers, tampons, pads, and disposal services:

1. Promoting Gender Equality: Access to free feminine hygiene products ensures that students who menstruate can attend school comfortably and without disruption. It promotes gender equality by removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent students from accessing these necessary products.
2. Reducing Stigma and Shame: Lack of access to menstrual products can lead to embarrassment and stigma. Providing free products helps normalize menstruation and reduces the stigma around it, creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
3. Improving Attendance: When students have access to menstrual products, they are less likely to miss school due to their periods. This can lead to improved attendance and academic performance.
4. Supporting Staff: It's not just students who benefit. School staff members may also need access to these products. Providing them helps ensure that everyone can work comfortably and effectively.
5. Emergency Situations: Having free products available in school restrooms can be a lifesaver for students who unexpectedly start their periods while at school and may not have products with them.

Now, let's approximate the costs:
Dispensers:

• Wall-mounted dispensers for tampons and pads can cost between $20 to $50 each.

Tampons and Pads:

• The cost of tampons and pads can vary widely depending on brand, quality, and quantity. On average, a box of 36 tampons or pads may cost around $7 to $10.

Disposal Services:

• Sanitary disposal services ensure that used products are disposed of hygienically. The cost can vary, but it might be around $20 to $50 per month, depending on the frequency of service and the number of dispensers.

Annual Costs:

• If you have, for example, 10 restrooms in a school and each restroom has a dispenser for both tampons and pads, and you budget for an average monthly disposal service, the approximate annual cost might look like this:
• Dispensers: 10 dispensers x ($20 + $20) = $400
• Tampons and Pads: Let's say you replace them every two months, so 5 times a year. If each replacement costs $8 on average, then 10 restrooms x 5 replacements x $8 = $400
• Disposal Service: $35 per month x 12 months = $420

Total Annual Cost: $400 (Dispensers) + $400 (Tampons and Pads) + $420 (Disposal Service) = $1,220
Keep in mind that these costs can vary significantly depending on your location, the quality of products, and the number of restrooms in your school. However, considering the positive impact on students and staff, many schools find it a worthwhile investment to provide free feminine hygiene products in their restrooms.