IT is now a legal right in Scotland to have access to free period products - but how easy is it to get a hold of them?
In a world first, public buildings including libraries, job centres and education providers such as schools, colleges and universities, will be legally required to make sanitary towels and tampons available free of charge to those who need them.
Many public buildings have been providing sanitary products already, with the PickupMyPeriod app launching in January this year which can direct those in need to one of over 700 venues taking part in the scheme.
On Monday, when the Period Products (Free Provision)(Scotland) Act came into force, The National headed out to see how easy it is to get your hands on free products.
With a box of tampons typically costing between £2 and £3 at the supermarket, the free service will be a lifeline for many who simply cannot afford the monthly costs. It is part of the Scottish Government’s bid to eradicate period poverty across the country.
How do you get access to free period products in Scotland?
First, download the PickupMyPeriod app from your phone’s app store and set your location tracking preferences.
You then have a number of options. You can check the nearest provider to your current location or search for a specific building. Each supplier of free products on the app has illustrations of which items they provide, for example, tampons, sanitary pads, or reusable menstrual cups. Some providers also advertise if they use plastic-free products.
Each location is tagged with a blood droplet pin on a map. When you click on the location marker it then provides you with the details of what each building supplies, the opening times, and which toilets the products are available in, ie. female, male, or gender neutral.
The app also shows the time it would take to travel to the location by car or walking.
Once you have chosen your closest provider, head to the venue to collect your free period products.
Sanitary items can be found in bathrooms where you can pick them up with no questions asked.
