A Pitt student-led menstrual equity program won a national sustainability award

The University of Pittsburgh’s Office for Sustainability took first place in the “Education and Awareness” category of the 2022 Campus Race to Zero Waste for a menstrual health equity case study authored by student Angel Joseph, a sophomore EcoRep and international student from Kerala, India studying psychology, film and media studies.

The case study described the Zero Waste Period Program at Pitt and an event that addressed the short and long-term environmental and health impacts of disposable and reusable products, menstrual health, period poverty and equity. 

The competition, managed by the National Wildlife Foundation, recognizes college and university waste reduction initiatives. More than 3.6 million college students and staff across 200 campuses competed this year, collectively keeping more than 200 million single-use plastic containers out of landfills.

The Office of Sustainability has worked toward menstrual equity on Pitt’s campus alongside other organizations since 2019. Joseph collaborated with that office and others, including the Student Office of Sustainability, Pitt EcoReps, the Division of Student Affairs, Free the Planet and Pitt Planned Parenthood, to develop the program and build a coalition for future menstrual equity programs and initiatives on campus.