A frugal cleaning kit for reusable menstrual pads washed with 500-700 ml of water through buoyancy force. The complete set, made with polypropylene plastic and bamboo fabric pads, costs around £3-5.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
Menstruation is costly, with individuals spending around €20,000 on menstrual products over a lifetime, contributing to period poverty, which affects over 500 million people globally. Refugees face heightened challenges; 60% prioritize food and diapers over menstrual products due to limited resources, including water, soap, and private spaces. The Looop Can addresses period poverty in water-scarce regions by serving as a portable cleaning kit for reusable menstrual pads, empowering individuals to manage their periods confidently despite financial constraints and cultural taboos. By utilizing buoyancy force, it effectively cleans with only 500-700 ml of water. The kit, produced using injection molding with polypropylene plastic washing parts and bamboo fabric pads, costs around £3-5 and is designed to last up to five years, catering to refugees awaiting identity approval in camps.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
To use Looop Can, users insert a used menstrual pad into the container, add baking soda for stain removal, and fill with water to the indicated level. The contained baking soda naturally removes blood stains. After securing the cap, users can immerse and spin the container using a gyroscopic mechanism that minimizes effort—ideal for those experiencing period cramps. After 30 minutes, the blood disintegrates. The user scrubs, rinses three times, and the pad is clean using only 500 ml of water. The wastewater produced is safe for disposal since both blood and baking soda are compostable. The Looop Pad consists of an antibacterial graphene fabric layer for skin contact, a moisture-wicking bamboo fleece absorbent layer, and a waterproof PUL layer that prevents bacterial growth and odors. Quick-drying within half a day, its discreet rectangular shape minimizes fabric waste and helps reduce stigma around menstruation in refugee camps.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
Looop Can stands out by utilizing recycled steel cans to reduce costs and promote recycling without energy-intensive processes. Collaborating with local manufacturers, it establishes localized recycling systems, ensuring sustainability and thereby minimizing transportation fees. While hermetic plastic coatings extend the lifespan of food cans, Looop Can recommends replacing them every nine months to maintain health and safety standards. The design effectively prevents water spillage and can accommodate both reclaimed tin cans and a purpose-made plastic container. Furthermore, the Looop Pad’s rectangular shape minimizes fabric waste and reduces visibility, addressing gender stigma, especially in refugee camps where access to menstrual products can be limited. Looop Pad not only provides menstrual hygiene solutions but also empowers women by creating potential financial opportunities through pad manufacturing. Collaborations with NGOs like Phoenicia Finesse (California) and iDE Global (Cambodia) enhance the project’s reach, ensuring equitable access to sustainable menstrual solutions.
Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?
Looop Can seeks to improve menstrual health for marginalized communities by distributing 10,000 units in refugee camps by 2025. Through partnerships with NGOs and local governments, the project ensures equitable access while gathering feedback to measure impact effectively. The initiative promotes menstrual hygiene education and empowers marginalized groups, particularly women and girls. By prioritizing sustainability through the use of recycled steel cans, Looop Can reduces costs and encourages recycling. Strategic collaborations with organizations such as Phoenicia Finesse (California), iDE Global (Cambodia), Give through Giving (Cape Town), and The Pachamama Project (UK) enhance outreach and drive impact. The diverse team partnering in this effort, including industrial designer Cheuk Laam Wong and activist Margaret Wu, as well as Gravity Light co-founder Jim Reeves and iDE Global Design Strategist Fatima Shahata, ensures expert guidance in material selection and product development. Together, they strive to provide affordable, sustainable menstrual products while upholding dignity and hygiene for those in need.
