A program designed to break down barriers around waste free periods with free reusable menstrual products is now taking place in the Western Bay.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is working with waste minimisation expert Kate Meads to run her Waste Free Period Program at selected schools and marae.

The Council funded workshops include free reusable period products and a wealth of knowledge on how reusable menstrual products work to keep waste to landfill low and save users money in the long term.

Single use period products are free in schools thanks to the Ministry of Education's Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata - Period products in schools programme, however, schools need to opt into the service to provide the products for their students and at the present time the government does not make any reusable options available to students.

This program fills a need for education and creates opportunity for students to try all available products.

The first workshop saw Kate visit students from years 9-13 at Katikati College and talk to them about reusable period products.

The next stops are Te Puke High School and four local marae which will take place later this year and early next year.

Council's resource recovery and waste Team Leader, Ilze Kruis says the workshops are a great way to introduce new reusable products to people that may have been unsure about them or didn't know they existed.

'These days there's a huge range of waste minimising period products available, but there is often a little hesitation to overcome trying them out, and a higher cost at the outset.

'We're hoping the Waste Free Period Program will help break down these barriers and give people a chance to try something new. They'll reduce waste to landfill and save money while they're at it, and that's great,” says Ilze.

The products given to students included menstrual cups, reusable pads and period underwear – all of which can be washed and reused, preventing the need for single-use tampons and pads.

Kate says, 'I have been using reusable period products for over 17 years now and ultimately these products can save you money and prevent more waste going to landfill, it's a winner for you and the taiao (environment).”

Ilze says, the program is the latest extension of Western Bay of Plenty District Council's commitment to helping residents reduce waste sent to landfill.

'This is a really special kaupapa (project) because it's good for our people and our planet.

'People come along,learn and some will walk away with new lifestyle changes, or they'll talk to a friend about what they heard. Through this kind of work we can make over the long-term, and proud to support it.”

Council also subsidises regular Waste Free Living workshops run by Kate that are taking place across the Western Bay. Check out what's on offer and

Funding for the Zero Waste Period Program and Waste Free Living workshops comes from the Waste Minimisation Fund.