Women's Health Tasmania has won the prestigious Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Sustainability Award at the 2022 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards.
The award was presented by Chair of the EPA Board, Mr Andrew Paul, at last Friday night's Awards Gala Presentation Dinner in Hobart.
The EPA Sustainability Award acknowledges businesses from any industry sector who have developed and implemented initiatives that have delivered measurable improvements in preventing pollution, conserving energy and water, minimising waste and/or maximising resource efficiency.
Women's Health Tasmania won the award from a strong field of community achievers, including the Hobart City Council, Spring Bay Mill and Resource Work Cooperative.
Women's Health Tasmania's winning project seeks to reduce landfill at the Hobart City Council tip by supporting women to try reusable period friendly underwear.
Menstrual products are single-use and have a big impact on the environment, contributing approximately 18,000 metric tonnes of waste to landfill every year in Australia.
Unfortunately, cost is a significant barrier to take up of reusable period friendly underwear. This project aimed to give women on low incomes a chance to try period friendly underwear.
Women's Health Tasmania formed a partnership with Australian underwear brand Modibodi, who provided bulk underwear to the project at marginal cost. The project also received an Urban Sustainability Grant from Hobart City Council, providing 252 women and non-binary people on low incomes with five free pairs of period-friendly underwear.
Women's Health Tasmania's nomination provided excellent data demonstrating how the project has been successful and has led to them obtaining continued support to start work on phase two of the project.
The EPA was thrilled to present the award to Women's Health Tasmania for their innovative idea to addressing landfill issues, which has resulted in measurable improvements in waste minimisation.
With over 50% of the EPA's workforce female, the Women's Health Tasmania project also supports the EPA's ongoing work in striving for a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, equality and promotes respect.
Congratulations again to Women's Health Tasmania.