Green and Healthy Frome's Plastic Free. Period crowdfunding campaign launched on 8th March, on International Women's Day, and is raising £4,500 to buy a 'period pack' for all young people in year 8 and year 9 who need one. At the time of writing the crowdfunder is 28% funded, with several weeks to run to hit its target.

The Plastic Free. Period project focuses on the potential carbon saving, cost savings and health impacts for women, girls and all people who menstruate, as well as people experiencing incontinence, through switching to plastic-free products. The packs that the project hopes to buy contain three pairs of period pants, a reusable pad, a waterproof bag and an information booklet. Period pants offer greater comfort, can be worn for longer without changing, and are washable and reusable. 

Project champion Fiona Barrows said: "There are so many reasons to switch to plastic-free period products, but the stigma around periods is still a big barrier, as is the upfront cost of products.

"The more we can normalise and engage with our body and its needs, whilst thinking about the impact our choices have on our planet, the more we can break down these barriers.

"We know that caring for the planet is a priority for many young people, but they don't always have the buying power to go plastic-free. If we can raise the money to give every year 8 and 9 students that need one a celebration pack, that will go a long way to support those choices.

"This is an opportunity for you to support a young person in Frome to make the switch."

The period packs cost £15, less than half the usual retail price, and the crowdfunder aims to raise £4,500, enough to buy 300 packs.

The packs are not just greener but ultimately cheaper

A single user of plastic period products throws away up to 200kg of period waste in their lifetime, which goes into landfill or can end up in UK waterways.

Although plastic-free period products cost more at the outset, the cost of plastic period products is estimated to be around £10 a month, or £5,000 in a lifetime. The packs therefore help create a habit which is not only greener but ultimately cheaper.

Vic Yerby Practice Nurse at Frome Medical Practice said: "It's a win/win/win – if we can successfully raise our target, we can really make a difference to the conversation around periods for over 300 students.

"We will be able to encourage well-being – by helping students address period poverty, supporting them through period anxiety and also doing our bit to help students make sustainable choices – saving potentially thousands of sanitary products from landfill. With your help, we can get the celebration packs into schools and make a real difference to our young people."

The Plastic Free. Period project focuses on the potential carbon saving, cost savings and health impacts for women, girls and all people who menstruate, as well as people experiencing incontinence, through switching to plastic-free products.

"The carbon footprint of a single year's worth of plastic period products is 5.3kg CO2 equivalent, or for the population of Frome, 72,000kg of carbon each year.

Donate to the Plastic Free. Period crowdfunder at bit.ly/plasticfreeperiod2024 or in person at Frome Town Hall.

Plastic Free. Period is part of Green and Healthy Frome, a partnership between Frome Medical Practice, Edventure and Frome Town Council, funded by the National Lottery's Climate Action Fund.