Eco Period Box: 20 Shops taking Eco Period Action in April!

​In December I addressed period poverty by taking action with my Eco Period Box campaign. The campaign encouraged everyone to join in and make a positive difference by donating eco-friendly period care to those affected by period poverty. It was a success, with individuals, groups and companies coming together to get involved and over 4,000 plastic-free period products and 40 reusables were collected, distributed and donated all over the UK!

Although the campaign was originally for December, many have asked whether it would be extended into the new year and I’m excited to announce that following its success, it is coming back in April! I wanted even more people to benefit from it this time, which is why I have been in touch with shops throughout the UK and Ireland to bring the campaign to their area!

20 shops across the UK and Ireland are taking part to help support people locally that are affected by period poverty by having an Eco Period Box, which people can donate to! This will be running from the 1st-30th and all donations collected, will be given to a local charity of their choice. 

What is period poverty? 
Period poverty affects thousands of individuals each year, including those at school, those that are homeless, refugees and those who simply cannot afford period care due to financial constraints. I was saddened by the thought of people missing out on their education and opportunities simply because they cannot afford the essentials they need, which is why I started the Eco Period Box. 

What are eco-friendly period products?
Conventional tampons and pads contain up to 90% plastic and are constantly being produced, used for 4-8 hours, disposed of and then take over 500 years to break down. Eco-friendly period products are just like their conventional counterparts but without the unnecessary plastic content.
There are countless alternatives available including plastic-free tampons, pads and pantyliners or reusables such as menstrual cups and washable pads or pants!

Why donate 'eco'? 
I set up the Eco Period Box to address period poverty in a way that I feel truly benefits all, plastic-free period products and reusables are not only better for the people using them, but they also have a minimal environmental impact, which is really important. I also believe that everyone, no matter their situation, deserves a choice in what they use.

Where do I get eco-products and how do I donate?
The shops that are taking part this month by having a box in-store stock plastic-free tampons and pads and/or reusables, so you don't need to bring a donation with you before you come to the shop. To make a donation, you can simply pop the item(s) you wish to donate into your basket, go to till, purchase them and then say to a member of staff that you wish to contribute the item(s) to their Eco Period Box, and then drop your donation in!
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Here are the shops that are getting involved, if you have one nearby it would be great if you could make a contribution to their box, and if you do it would be fantastic if you could take a picture and post it online using #EcoPeriodBox!

Bristol – Zero Green
Their address is 12 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1HT
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Their donations will be going to No More Taboo.

York – Tullivers
Their address is 1-2 Colliergate, York YO1 8BP
You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
Their donations will be going to Kyra Womens Project.

Nottingham - Dash Vegan
Their address is Cobden Chambers, Pelham street Nottingham, NG1  2ED.
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Their donations will be going to The Red Box Project Nottingham.

Edinburgh - The Eco Larder
Their address is 200 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EB
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram. 
They are giving their donations to a local charity.

Edinburgh - The New Leaf Co-op
Their address is 23 Argyle Place EH9 1JJ
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram. 
They are giving their donations to a local charity.

Plymouth – Ethica 
Their address is 155 Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1HY
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
​Their donations will be going to The Plymouth Red Box Project.

Dublin - Small Changes Wholefoods Store
Their address is 40 Drumcondra Rd. Lower, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Their donations will be going to Homeless Period Ireland.

Rugby – Wild & Free
Their address is 6 Bank Street, Rugby, CV21 2QE
You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to Rugby Foodbank.

Manchester – The Eighth Day Co-op Ltd
Their address is 111 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7DU 
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to Emmeline's Pantry.

Sheffield – New Roots
Their address is 347 Glossop Road, Sheffield S11 8RE
​You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to the Campaign Against Period Poverty.

Taunton – Lesser Litter
Their address is 11 Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3PF
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
​Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Leeds – The Jar Tree
Their address is Unit BS1, Row B, Leeds Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, LS2 7HY
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
​Their donations will be going to Freedom 4 Girls.

Northampton – Daily Bread Co-operative
Their address is Daily Bread Co-op, Bedford Road, Northampton, NN4 7AD
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
​Their donations will be going to The Red Box Project Northampton.

Colchester – An Ethical Life
Their address is St Mary’s Road, Great Bentley, Colchester, CO7 8NJ
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Swansea - Brontosaurus
Their address is 23B Swansea Indoor Market, Swansea
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Their donations will be going to Matthew's House.

Shaftesbury - Coconut and Cotton
Their address is Unit 5A Swans Yard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JQ
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Birmingham - Indigo Wholefoods
Their address is 50-52 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, B13 8JG
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Bangor - Dimensions Health Store
Their address is 15 Holyhead Road, Bangor, Gwynedd
You can find them on Facebook.
​Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Southport - Nature's Remedies
Their address is 3 Market Street, Southport, PR8 1HH.
You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to The Red Box Project Southport.
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Marlborough - Packaging Not Included
Their address is Unit 7 Hughenden Yard, High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1LT
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
​Their donations will be going to a local charity.

Thank you so much to all the shops that are getting involved to help support their local areas by taking Eco Period Action for Good! If you have a shop that sells plastic-free period products and/or reusables and would like to have a box in your shop, please get in touch by sending me a message through the contact page!