Cycle Saver
An Emergency Period Product Dispenser for the Homeless
2024
The Cycle Saver is a vending machine that provides essential menstrual hygiene products to homeless women across Toronto. It offers a selection of pads and tampons, allowing individuals to choose what best suits their needs.
Since many experiencing homelessness lack spare cash, the Cycle Saver accepts recyclable materials, such as aluminum cans and glass bottles, as an alternative payment method.
Access to menstrual products remains a significant challenge due to high costs and inconsistent availability at shelters. As a result, many women resort to improvised solutions during their cycles.
By offering various menstrual products—including pads, tampons, and liners—the Cycle Saver empowers women with greater control over their hygiene, enhancing their dignity and well-being.
Many homeless individuals already collect recyclables for cash, making this an accessible way to obtain essential products. Strategically placing these vending machines in multiple locations would improve access and support menstrual health for those in need.
Homeless women face significant challenges in accessing menstrual hygiene products due to high costs and inconsistent availability at shelters. Many are forced to use inadequate alternatives, as one woman shared, "I haven’t used pads because I haven’t had any money. I’ve had to use toilet paper." Another noted, "Sometimes shelters have them, sometimes they don’t. They should have more—it’s an obvious priority." The stigma surrounding menstruation also prevents some from asking for help, with one respondent admitting, "I would never ask. I’d be too embarrassed."
The Cycle Saver addresses this issue by offering a variety of menstrual products, allowing women to choose what best suits their needs. This choice fosters dignity and well-being.
By incorporating the recyclables trade-in practice, the Cycle Saver provides an accessible way to obtain essential menstrual products if the person does not have any cash at the moment.
Design Features
Accessibility
The Cycle Saver will be placed in key locations, including shelters, community centers, and public restrooms, to ensure accessibility for homeless individuals.
Product Selection
The Cycle Saver will offer a variety of sanitary products including pads, tampons, and liners to accommodate different preferences and needs.
Affordability
The machine will accept cash but will also accept recyclable materials such as cans and bottles as payment to cater to different financial situations.
Education
Informational materials will be provided on the sides of the machine as well as contact information for local shelters, support services and healthcare providers.
Disposal
The machine will also have an attached discard bin that can be used to discard used period products.
For this concept to be effective, a partnership with a recycling center is essential to ensure the regular collection and deposit of recyclable materials. Collaboration with sanitary product manufacturers will also be required to source the necessary supplies. Additionally, securing permits or landlord approvals will be necessary for installation in selected locations. Establishing partnerships with local organizations, shelters, and businesses will further support the sustainability and outreach of the Cycle Saver.
Moving ahead, my next steps would be to find organizations to tie up with so that I could move this project ahead with collaborations.
Research
In late 2022, Statistics Canada reported that approximately 235,000 individuals across the country experience homelessness each year. This population faces numerous health challenges resulting from unstable living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and socioeconomic disadvantages. These factors contribute to elevated rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory conditions, often exacerbated by exposure to environmental hazards and poor nutrition.
Homeless women, however, encounter additional gender-specific challenges—most notably, menstruation. Managing periods without stable shelter or resources can significantly impact their physical and emotional well-being. Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is essential not only to prevent social stigma associated with visible leakage or staining but also to safeguard reproductive and gynecological health. For homeless women, achieving this standard of care is especially difficult.
During my research, I observed recurring themes and consistent findings across various papers, articles, and other sources. These themes are as follows:
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Challenges in Obtaining and Using Menstrual Products
With limited resources, basic needs like food and shelter often take priority, leaving little room for menstrual hygiene. While some shelters provide supplies, they are not always stocked, and demand often exceeds availability, leaving many without adequate support.
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Affordability of Products and Care
Homeless women often lack the financial means to purchase menstrual products, and limited access to free alternatives worsens the issue. Many are forced to overuse products or use unsafe substitutes like toilet paper or cloth, increasing the risk of infections and other health complications.
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Period Taboo
Menstruation remains stigmatized in many cultures, often seen as impure or shameful. This leads to exclusionary practices and limited awareness about menstrual hygiene. Homeless women are especially affected, as they often lack access to accurate information and proper care.
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Feelings of Shame and Embarrassment
Stigma and shame often prevent homeless women from seeking menstrual products. Negative responses, as highlighted in No More Taboo, can worsen this discomfort. Creating respectful, stigma-free spaces is essential for meeting their needs.
Based on the above themes and the needs that I identified from the research, I came up with the following design principles that I wanted to follow when designing my idea:
The design must ensure that menstrual hygiene products are distributed through accessible channels to reach homeless individuals with diverse needs and circumstances.
The design must ensure that the products are affordable and do not require extreme measures to acquire them.
The design must ensure that the design of menstrual hygiene products for homeless women is free from stigma and judgment, promoting dignity, respect, and inclusivity.
The design must promote empowerment, dignity, and confidence, reducing feelings of shame and embarrassment.
The design must spread awareness to educate both homeless women and the broader community about menstrual health and hygiene, reducing stigma and fostering empathy and understanding.
