This report summarizes the results of a study on reusable menstrual supplies (RMS) usage in Canadian post-secondary institutions conducted by Free Periods Canada. The research was conducted in 2020 with funding from Mount Royal University & McConnell Foundation. The goal was to understand the usage patterns, barriers to usage, and potential next steps for the integration of RMS in post-secondary institutions to empower more people in switching to RMS and reduce the number of waste created from single-use menstrual supplies.

Using a modified version of the Zero Waste Scotland “Re-usable Menstrual Products Research Survey Questionnaire,” we collected data from across the nation using social media accounts, paid advertisements, and our own network of menstrual equity groups and advocates. Our study found that while there is increasing interest in RMS, there are still many barriers to adoption and more education and resources are needed to support the switch from single-use menstrual products to RMS.

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The full report is available to download here.