Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU)

How the joni® Model A Dispenser is Creating Period Equity at McGill University While Reducing Waste

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The Challenge

To make menstrual products accessible on campus, the Students' Society of McGill University needed a solution that met these key criteria:

• Free and High-Quality Products: The university wanted to provide students with free, reliable, and high-quality menstrual products.

• Sustainability and Waste Reduction: The program had to align with McGill's broader environmental goals by significantly reducing waste.

• Cost-Effectiveness: The solution needed to be financially viable and provide a cost-effective alternative to existing options.

• Logistical Efficiency: They sought a system that was easy to manage, with a reliable supply chain for a long-term, scalable program.

The Solution: The joni® Model A Dispenser

McGill University partnered with joni to implement a campus-wide menstrual product program. joni's B2B model provided a comprehensive solution that met all of the university's criteria.

• Cost-Effective Dispensing: McGill purchased joni's dispensers, which offered a significant upfront cost saving of $200 per unit compared to traditional options.

• Bulk Ordering & Efficiency: joni's case packs allowed McGill to order in bulk, streamlining the procurement process and ensuring a consistent supply. The initial order included:

  • 10 case packs of regular tampons

  • 6 case packs of super tampons

  • 30 case packs of regular pads

  • 12 case packs of super pads

• Sustainability & Waste Reduction: A core component of the partnership was joni's commitment to sustainability. By eliminating the need for bulky, individual boxes for each product, the program drastically reduced packaging waste. For every order of the initial size, McGill saw:

  • A waste reduction of 84 kg from pad packaging.

  • A waste reduction of 15 kg from tampon packaging.

  • A total of 99 kg of packaging waste saved per order.

• Landfill Burden Reduction: joni's compostable products further contributed to McGill's environmental goals. Based on the initial order, the use of compostable products resulted in a reduction of 17 kg of landfill burden. This was calculated from a total of 11,472 individual products (8,400 pads and 3,072 tampons), each saving 1.5g of landfill waste.

The Impact: Ongoing Sustainable Success

The partnership between McGill University and joni has been a resounding success. 

• Consistent Supply & Predictable Ordering: The university has established a predictable and efficient re-ordering schedule, simplifying inventory management. After determining product demand, McGill now has a 30-day re-ordering cadence of:

  • 16 regular pads casepacks
  • 12 super pads casepacks
  • 5 regular non-applicator tampon casepacks
  • 5 super non-applicator tampon casepacks
  • 3 joni tampons with applicators

   

• Financial & Environmental ROI: Repeat orders reveals sustained demand for the period products. More importantly, the partnership has delivered on its core value propositions, providing significant cost savings and substantial environmental benefits with every order. The consistent reduction of nearly 100 kg of packaging waste and 17 kg of landfill burden per re-order has allowed McGill to tangibly demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.

• Enhanced Student Experience: By providing free, accessible, and eco-friendly menstrual products, McGill has not only met a critical need but has also fostered a more inclusive and supportive campus environment, aligning with broader goals of social equity and student well-being. This initiative directly supports the the student population that menstruates, nearly 70% (according to 2023 stats), helping to increase productivity and participation in campus life by ensuring students have access to essential care when they need it most.

The Future: Equitable Opportunities

The McGill University case study showcases how a strategic partnership can successfully address multiple institutional priorities simultaneously. By working with joni, the Students' Society of McGill was able to provide an essential service to its students, significantly reduce its environmental footprint, and do so in a financially responsible manner.

In the process, McGill is also enhancing their reputation as an empathetic, equitable, and modern institution. This partnership serves as a model for other educational institutions looking to improve student support and advance their sustainability agendas.