Trial Period campaign 2019
Trial Period 2019
We launched Trial Period in 2019 in partnership with the social enterprise Hey Girls and supported by the Scottish Government and European Regional Development funding. The aim of the campaign was to encourage those who can to give reusable products a try for a comfortable, leak-free and more sustainable period.
Zero Waste Scotland,Marine Scotland, and the Scottish Government, co-funded the campaign with the objective to reduce waste, tackle marine litter and promote wider re-use behaviours.
Trial Period was also supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the £73 million Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Accelerator Programme.
Why we are encouraging reusable period products
Before launching the campaign, we carried out a study aimed at understanding what would motivate our discourage the switch from single-use products – such as liners, pads and tampons – to reusable alternatives. Reusable alternatives include menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads and period-proof underwear.
The research confirmed that whilst disposable options are the most used period products, 10 percent of people we surveyed said they were already using reusables. On a positive note, our findings concluded that 76% would consider trialling at least one reusable menstrual product.
The campaign results
As part of our campaign, we teamed up with Hey Girls, a Scottish-based social enterprise, to offer a limited number of free trial period products. People could sign up to receive a free reusable period product to try and encourage wider re-use behaviour.
During the Trial Period, over 2,000 menstrual cups and cloth pads were distributed for free. Of those participating who responded to our survey, 42% are now only using reusable products for their period, and an additional 49% are now using reusables in conjunction with disposables.
42% of people who participated in the free trial are now only using reusable products for their period.
