Modibodi and MGC Period Undies Project.
Did you know that Melbourne Girls’ College and Period Underwear Company, Modibodi are partnering to show the Victorian Government that period poverty can be eliminated and done so sustainably? 60 of our students can sign up to receive 5 pairs of Modibodi period undies to help manage their period in a sustainable way. Students get to keep the undies and they will be able to use them for many years to come. At this stage the project is targeting year 8 and 9 students. The project will run for four months after the underwear arrives later in the year. We will collect data from surveys (1 pre use and 1 post use) and feed this information into our petition sponsor in the Victorian Parliament, Dr Samantha Ratnam. The surveys are completely anonymous, and the project is completely voluntary. The survey questions are interested in ascertaining if and how using period undies can help improve learning and overall school experience for young people. This project is about showing the government there’s a better way than single use and that it is possible to roll out reusable period products in Victorian schools. Much cheaper for the taxpayer and better for the planet in the long run. It will also help foster sustainable life habits in young people. In fact, the UK Government have just made menstrual cups free for all public school and college students. If they can do it in the UK, then surely, we can do it here.
Every fortnight each of the 6 dispensers in our school are refilled with 150 pads and 25 boxes of tampons. That a lot of single use sanitary items, each generating about 120 kilograms of waste per person over a lifetime. That’s not good for the environment our children will inherit.
There are more places available for interested students in Year 8 and 9.
Consent forms can be collected from the Science Staff room or email paula.mcintosh@mgc.vic.edu.au for an electronic copy.
If you haven’t added your voice to the petition, please do here:
https://me.getup.org.au/petitions/eco-friendly-periods-4-vic-schools-3
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMbRa2ZnnGP/
You can keep up to date with what’s happening with the project by following the Facebook page Eco-Friendly Periods 4 Vic Schools and or @zerowasteschoolsaustralia