VAT rate for menstrual cups in Ireland 

Single-use disposable menstrual hygiene products, such as tampons, often contain plastic and can be produced in a chemically or resource intensive manner - entailing environmental costs. To that end, we should encourage sustainable non-disposable products where possible, in this area and in others as we try to reduce our use of single use plastics and reduce plastic waste.

In Ireland, menstrual cups are subject to a 23% standard rate of VAT. This could be a significant barrier to the wider use of a more sustainable product.

Traditional, disposable, menstrual products contain chlorine, dioxin and and are responsible for producing 200,000 tonnes of waste every year.

Irish people with periods, on average, spend €132 on toxic and plastic-filled menstrual products a year and yet sustainable, and economically preferable options like cups, reusable pads and period pants are subject to 23% VAT in this country.

We are calling for the government to scrap this archaic and damaging tax on our bodies, and on the environment, and allow reusable and chemical free products the same breaks as traditional tampons and sanitary towels.Ask them why they’d prefer us to put chlorine in our vaginas and plastic in our oceans than safe, sustainable options. This has to end, and it has to end now.