Celebratory Period for International Women’s Day

Local women led social enterprise, Wā Collective, has diverted one million disposable menstrual products from landfill in one year since their launch on International Women’s day 2018.

Founded by 24 year old social entrepreneur Olie Body, Wā Collective is on a mission to end period poverty, period waste and change the way we think and act about periods.

In late 2016 Body conducted research, finding one in three students had skipped class due to not having access to menstrual products.

Wanting to find a sustainable solution that wasn’t just a one off quick fix, Wā Collective was born, selling ethically made menstrual cups, each one sold subsidising the same premium quality cup for Kiwis in need.

“While the tampon and disposable pad have revolutionised people’s lives, our negative reliance on single-use products has resulted in both our people and planet struggling to afford periods” Body stated.

Instead, one Wā Cup lasts up to 10 years, saving the user thousands of dollars, and preventing around 2500 disposables from reaching landfill. Body says they also “just let you live your life” as they last all day and are equally as great for lying on the couch or playing sport.

The Collective are celebrating International Women’s Day as a week, inviting Kiwis to donate Wā Cups through their website, where they will be matching each cup donated with another one. They also have free shipping on all menstrual cup sales through their website.

“Being born with a mighty pair of ovaries should not hold anyone back.”

“This is especially significant to recognise in the week of International Women’s Day, a celebration of how far we have come and a recognition that we still have a way to go” Body finished.

Wā Collective’s strong environmental and social impact comes on the back of them receiving two Sustainable Business Network awards last year, including Communicating for Social Change where they bet supermarket chain, Countdown.

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