Saalt, a maker of menstrual care products has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing period poverty and environmental sustainability. The Period Equity Initiative aims to reduce 100 million tampons from the environment while combatting period poverty. Institutions, including Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, the University of Utah and the University of Nebraska, are already participating in the programme.

One in five female college students in the U.S. have had to decide between buying period products and paying for other basic essentials like food and other bills according to a nationwide survey. Saalt, a maker of menstrual cups, washable period underwear and other reusable hygiene products, aims to make period care products accessible and affordable through the subsidisation of reusable period products, such as cups, discs, and period underwear, to participating universities and their campus affiliates.

The project is hoped to not only facilitate access to period care but also educate students on the use of more sustainable products, which are designed to be reused rather than discarded.