The Eztli project: Supporting solutions for period poverty through innovative materials and community effort

The Eztli project takes its name from the language of the Aztecs, Nahuatl, and their word meaning “blood.” In the Aztec culture, this word was also symbolic for vitality and life.

Period poverty and menstrual stigma are a global public health issue, and the Eztli project is working to address those issues across 7 states in Mexico: Ciudad de Mexico, Estado de Mexico, Queretaro, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, and San Luis Potosi.

In the country overall, about 4 in 10 women miss school or work during their menstrual cycles, and only 16% have accurate knowledge about menstruation and proper hygiene practices¹.

A shared vision and network of collaborators

The Eztli project is a shared-value initiative that aims to empower people who experience menstruation through improved menstrual hygiene and health education.

The project connects Dow’s materials science expertise and decades of silicones experience and other leaders in the molding application of silicone and product packaging with organizations that are well-versed in health education and community outreach. Contributors include Dow, Hulsi, Smurfit-Westrock, Mexfam and Fondo Unido México.

Silicone menstrual cup donation

By working together, the collaborators of the Eztli project have successfully produced and donated 80,000 menstrual cups to the initiative.

Dow’s Consumer Solutions business provided the SILASTIC™ Silicone Rubber material to create the cups. Hulsi then applied the silicone material, molded and shaped it into reusable hygiene products. Before final distribution, Smurfit-Westrock created the packaging for each individual cup.

Once all the components were ready, more than 50 volunteers assembled the products and packaging into boxes that would be distributed to program participants.

The positive impact of reuseable menstrual hygiene products

This initiative not only reduces the financial burden of buying sanitary products but also avoids environmental waste.

According to estimates based on national demographic data and menstrual product usage, individuals who menstruate use approximately 240 disposable pads per year, leading to approximately 39,600 metric tons of sanitary waste annually in Mexico². Over a lifetime, this translates to an average cost of  about $3,300 USD per person on disposable menstrual hygiene products.

Through helping the 80,000 program participants of the Eztli project to switch to reusable menstrual cups, the initiative can help Mexican states avoid an estimated 3,840 metric tons of sanitary pad waste—reducing menstrual hygiene product waste among program participants by over 99%. These figures are estimates based on internal data and publicly available information, actual outcomes may vary.

Hosting menstrual health workshops and ongoing support

In addition to the positive financial and environmental outcomes of the Eztli project, the program also works to address menstrual taboos and misconception through workshops that focus on community education and open dialogue.

By conducting conversations, normalizing the topic and offering personal counseling, the project helps to support the confidence and long-term well-being of program participants.

Period poverty is a global challenge affecting millions of people who menstruate, with far-reaching impacts on health, education, and socio-economic well-being. The World Bank estimates that at least 500 million individuals worldwide lack adequate access to menstrual products and suitable hygiene resources like running water³.

In low-income communities, the lack of education about menstruation and access to safe and reliable menstrual hygiene products forces some to use improvised alternatives, such as rags or repurposed paper products, which in turn heightens the risk of infection. Consequently, this can result in school or work absences, reduced productivity, and social stigma—compounding the cycle of poverty.

Even when menstrual hygiene products are available for purchase, it does not mean those products are accessible. The price of the products and the amount that needs to be purchased to adequately address hygiene needs can present a prohibitive factor. The struggle to afford period products can be observed around the world⁴. According to a 2022 study presented by Essity, #MenstruaciónDignaMéxico and UNICEF, 42% of women and girls in Mexico have had to choose between purchasing menstrual hygiene products and other basic necessities. This finding underscores the need for more affordable and sustainable menstrual health solutions in vulnerable communities⁵.

The urgency to address period poverty is not limited to developing countries or rural areas. Even in developed nations like the United States⁶, a significant proportion of students and workers report having missed school or work due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.

Sustainability of menstrual hygiene products

In addition to the challenges of education, access and affordability, there is a challenge of environmental sustainability associated with disposable menstrual hygiene products.

After a single use, conventional absorbent menstrual products must be disposed. A single silicone menstrual cup can be reused for up to 10 years with proper care⁷—actual lifespan depend on usage and maintenance. Reuseable alternatives like silicone menstrual cups offer a compelling solution by reducing both long-term personal expenses and avoiding waste.

By supporting access to high-quality, durable menstrual products like reusable period cups, individuals and organizations can play a transformative role in eliminating menstrual poverty and improving the daily lives of vulnerable populations.

Medical-grade silicones are critical materials that meet international health and safety standards to interact with the human body, and when used appropriately in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, these materials may be suitable for certain healthcare applications.

When used to make menstrual cups, the durability, stability and heat resistance of silicones have demonstrated benefits. These characteristics allow for repeated boiling or sterilization without concern for degradation of the material or the possibility of leaching harmful substances. Individual results and product performance may vary depending on design and manufacturer. The materials’ inherent flexibility ensures that menstrual cups conform gently to the anatomical contours of the body, enhancing comfort and helping to reduce the learning curve for first-time adopters of this reusable hygiene product.

The Eztli project exemplifies how materials science, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts can drive significant social and environmental progress. By empowering communities through reuseable menstrual hygiene products and addressing health and hygiene misconceptions, this initiative not only helps address period poverty but also promotes personal well-being and environmental sustainability.

The success of this collaboration highlights the importance of continued investment in shared-value initiatives that focus on critical issues faced by vulnerable populations.