AD - this post is a collaboration with ModiBodi

The idea that sanitary products attract any form of tax has always been something that’s bothered me. Being able to hygienically manage your period should be a basic right and it’s alarming that in 2020 this is still an issue.

Around 20 years ago I was in a play and managed to squeeze in a line about how ridiculous I thought it was that sanitary products were taxed as luxury goods (which at the time was 17.5%). It was one of my proudest moments, after all it’s hard talking out about these things when you’re 13!

Since my moment on stage there has been some progress. In 2001 a reduced rate of VAT (5%) was applied to sanitary products and in the 2020 Budget it was announced that a zero rate will apply to sanitary products from January 2021 (although this is a double edged sword because this change has only been possible due to the UK’s exist from Europe because previously rules around tax on tampons and pads was dictated by EU VAT rules).

Not All Sanitary Protection Is The Same

This is all great progress, but it only applies to traditional sanitary protection - tampons and pads - and overlooks some of the great, environmentally friendly, alternatives that have been developed over the last few years such as menstrual cups, reusable pads and period underwear. If we’re going introduce changes shouldn’t those change make sure that people of all ages and ethnicities in the UK have access to as wide a choice as possible because we know that different solutions work for different people at different times. Take me, most of the time I use tampons, but at night and on lighter days I opt for period underwear and sometimes I use a pad if I’ve just got a bit of spotting, all of those options are equally valid and have the same purpose, so why should they be taxed differently?

It’s About More Than Choice

I firmly believe that people should have total freedom of choice when it comes to choosing how to manage their periods. However, there’s no denying that disposable products do have an impact on the environment;

• Every disposable pad uses 4 plastic bags

• The majority of tampon boxes and disposable pads are wrapped in layers of plastic

• Most mainstream disposable products are produced using chemicals which are then dumped causing further environmental damage

• Most disposable products take the same amount of energy and water to produce as a reusable product

The UK Government made a commitment to the environment when it announced the Environment Bill, and ensuring the availability of reusable sanitary products would help more people take another small step towards sustainability.

Do Reusable Products Really Make A Difference?

It can be easy to dismiss reusable products as a gimmick, but according to research from Modibodi UK 77% of their customers use their products solely for menstrual management and 67% choose to exclusively use period underwear. However, these products are an investment, and even a small reduction in price would help open up this option to more people allowing them more choice around how they manage menstruation, whether that’s due to personal preference or for environmental reasons.

This is why ModiBodi has started a petition calling on the UK Government to remove the unjust and discriminatory taxes placed on menstrual hygiene products and ensure that all sustainable options, including period leak-proof underwear, are included in the VAT-free legislation ensuring people of all ages and ethnicities in the UK have access to as wide a choice as possible of reusable products. Follow the link below to find out more and sign the petition.

AD - I was not paid to share this post and I decided to do so because I believe in the cause. I have previously received press samples from Modibodi. All opinions are my own.