April 17, 2025, 8:00 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Tampons, pads, and similar products are costing us a lot. This is especially true if we opt for natural, untreated options. There have been repeated calls to provide free period products in schools and public building restrooms. An Australian entrepreneur’s startup is now tackling this issue.
When you think about it, how much money do you spend on period products? Whether it’s tampons, pads, cups, discs, or period panties, our periods cost us, depending on the study, between 3,000 and 20,000 euros over a lifetime. It’s no surprise that not everyone can afford this. Thus, for women, periods are often associated not only with unpleasant side effects like cramps, mood swings, diarrhea, or headaches but also with financial burdens. An Australian startup now wants to change that by “selling” free pads.
“On the House” Offers Free Pads
To address this issue, Remy Tucker from Brisbane, Australia, founded “On the House.” As a former midwife, she often witnessed how difficult it was for many women to access necessary period products. Her solution: hygiene products like pads or tampons should be free.
What might sound like a nice dream in a patriarchal society, Tucker is making a reality with the help of advertisers. They can book ad space on the packaging of period products or on the screens of digital dispensers for free pads in public restrooms.
Tucker suggests that companies can align their brand with a good cause by partnering with “On the House.” The products are also “100% organic and biodegradable,” as well as chlorine-free, fragrance-free, and unbleached, according to the website. So far, the products are only available in public spaces, such as schools or large offices, in Brisbane. However, Tucker plans to expand globally. The 25-year-old founder also plans to donate a portion of the revenue.
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Free Tampons Are Also Planned for Germany
Whether “On the House” will be available in public restrooms in Germany is uncertain. However, this idea exists here as well. Pheline Huber has already tried the marketing idea with free water bottles and pocket ashtrays before moving on to tampons. With “Lyfe Ads,” she and her co-founder aim to make period products freely accessible. Both companies are now at the beginning of what could be a turning point in addressing period poverty.