Your guide to stress‑free, stigma‑free, zero‑waste‑friendly support
Scotland has taken a huge step toward period dignity by making period products free for anyone who needs them — and Aberdeenshire has embraced this wholeheartedly. Whether you’re a local resident, a visitor, a parent collecting for a young person, or someone supporting a friend, you can access free period products easily and discreetly.
At Zero Waste Llama, we’re especially excited that the scheme includes reusable options like cloth pads and menstrual cups. These choices are not only budget‑friendly but also planet‑friendly — a win for your body, your wallet, and the Earth.
This is your complete guide to accessing free (eco) period products near you (in Scotland AND the UK)!
🏫 1. Free Products in Schools
During term time, all pupils and staff can pick up free period products directly within their school. Supplies are available discreetly, and you don’t need to ask permission or justify your needs. Just take what supports you.
🏘️ 2. Collect in the Community
If you’re out and about, you can pick up free period products from a wide range of public spaces. Just use the Pick Up My Period app to help you find the nearest collection point.
Where you can collect:
- Community centres
- Libraries
- Sports and leisure centres
- Vaccination centres
- Service points
All listed locations are open to the public, and the app also includes helpful menstrual health resources. It works across Scotland, so you can use it even when traveling.
Tip: If you’re able, collecting in person helps reduce delivery demand and keeps the service running smoothly for everyone.
📦 3. Order Online for Free Home Delivery
If getting out to a collection point isn’t possible — whether due to mobility, transport, health, or simply life being life — Scotland offers free home delivery. You cab access this here.
You’ll need to provide a Scottish postcode, and you can choose from:
- Disposable pads
- Tampons
- Reusable pads
- Menstrual cups
Each order provides around two months’ supply, delivered directly to your door. Delivery usually takes 4–5 weeks, though busy periods may cause delays.
This service is especially helpful for:
- People living rurally
- Those with limited transport
- Carers ordering on behalf of someone else
- Anyone who prefers the privacy of home delivery
If you can’t access the online form, you can also request products by calling your local council.
🌱 Why Does This Matter
Period dignity is a human right. No one should have to choose between essential products and other basic needs. Scotland’s approach supports:
- Financial wellbeing
- Health and comfort
- Environmental sustainability (thanks to reusable options!)
- Community care
By offering both disposable and reusable products, the scheme empowers everyone to choose what works best for their body and lifestyle.
💚 Zero Waste Llama’s Take
We love seeing reusable period products included as a standard option. Switching to reusables can dramatically reduce waste — a single menstrual cup can last up to 10 years, and cloth pads can last for years with proper care. If you’re curious about reusables but unsure where to start, this scheme is a brilliant, risk‑free way to try them.
Sarah received a 2 month supply of sanitary products, originating from Hey Girls, Hey Girls is one of the most inspiring forces in the UK’s period‑dignity movement — a multi‑award‑winning social enterprise built with a simple but powerful mission: to eradicate period poverty, improve access to high‑quality products, and eliminate shame through education and community support. Their model is beautifully straightforward: you buy one, they donate one, ensuring that every purchase directly supports someone who needs period products but may not be able to afford them. This approach has helped them become a major supplier for local authorities, schools, colleges, and community organisations across the country.
What makes Hey Girls stand out is their commitment to sustainability as well as dignity. Their reusable pads and period pants are made from soft, organic, and environmentally friendly materials like bamboo and certified organic cotton — designed to be comfortable, long‑lasting, and easy to care for. These products offer a practical, eco‑friendly alternative to disposables, helping reduce waste while giving people reliable, dignified period care.
Beyond products, Hey Girls works with more than 200 donation partners — from food banks and community groups to shelters and charities — ensuring that support reaches people in real need. Their work is rooted in the belief that no one should miss school, work, or daily life because they can’t access period products. Research shows that period poverty affects around one in ten school‑aged girls in the UK, and Hey Girls’ efforts directly help keep young people in education, support wellbeing, and protect dignity.
For organisations like Zero Waste Llama, Hey Girls is a natural ally — combining sustainability, dignity, and community empowerment in a way that aligns beautifully with our mission. Their products are not only high‑quality and environmentally conscious, but also part of a wider movement to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, comfortable, stigma‑free period care.
📲 Helpful Links
- Scottish Council’s information page on free period products
Choose your local Council from the drop down list. - MyPeriod website
Search for products near you on the MyPeriod website. You can search by (UK) postcode and area. - Pick Up My Period Mobile app
The PickupMyPeriod app shows you where you can get free period products across the UK(!). You can search by area and product type to find products near you. It’s free to download & it is updated by local councils. More information on this can be found here. - Hey Girls!
You can find out more about Hey Girls on their website, here.
