Published: 27-02-2023 13:57 | Updated: 27-02-2023 14:21

Free period products at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge

Female and male symbols on paper/cloth
Photo: Marie Dahlberg

The Environmental and sustainability representative at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), Sara, shares some insights from the current work to make MedH a more sustainable department and workplace. One action currently underway is free period products at the department.

Sara von Bahr Grebäck, MedH
Sara von Bahr Grebäck, (HERM), MedH. Foto: N/A

"As you can see here on the KI staff portal, the number one climate culprit from KI is purchase of goods and official travel. Changes in what we buy and consume can have a big effect on our total greenhouse gas emissions. Naturally, we use a lot of plastic single-use items in the lab, but outside of the lab we should definitely limit this. First out are paper cups".

No more single use cups in Neo

"Single use cups will no longer be ordered in Neo. Staff can bring their own mug or borrow one from the kitchen instead. Wash your own mug and keep it in your office or put it in the dishwasher in the kitchen. Next in line for this environment friendly measure will be ANA Futura!"

Free period products soon available 

"At KI we work with the sustainable development goals (SDG) with a focus on Goal 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages) and Goal 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all). Apart from these goals, there are several ones that are of specific importance to me, such as Goals number 12-15, about climate and environment. Another one is Goal number 5, which is about equality. To better meet this goal, MedH has decided to offer period products like menstruation pads at selected toilets in our different locations. This will be under implementation in a few weeks in Neo, ANA Futura and C2:94".

Recycling is better than burning the waste

"This means that it is much better to sort the waste into plastic and paper than to put it all in combustible. We must all make a greater effort in sorting our waste. The cleaners will put it in plastic and paper when sorted correctly, but as soon as there is a mix of paper and plastic and other waste, it will all go into combustible.

And remember, just because something is meant to be thrown away, doesn’t mean it can’t be used more than once! Use the plastic cup or fork again. It works just fine. And we have started recycling the Styrofoam boxes from deliveries in Neo instead of shredding them and throwing them away".

Join brainstorming session

Welcome to join a brainstorming session with Sara about the environment and share your ideas!

  • What can we do for the environment?
  • Do you have any suggestions? 

Bring your own coffee cup and Sara will buy cookies!

Time and place:

  • Thursday April 13 at 10:00
  • Erythrocyte 7015, 7th floor in Neo.

Contact

Sara von Bahr Grebäck, HERM, MedH.