Windsor's pilot project offering menstrual hygiene products in municipal facilities didn't go as planned.
Usage rates were lower than expected, and the products were misused.
Menstrual hygiene products were available in women's, men's, and family washrooms.
Dispensers were rendered unusable at Windsor Water World by vandals. At the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre, WFCU Centre, and the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, some people scattered them on the floor or flushed them down the toilets.
It appeared to happen with greater frequency during community events with high attendance.
If the program continues, administrative staff assume misuse will continue but also say the risk is low and consistent with other vandalism.
The one-year pilot started in May 2022, but administrative staff extended the program because of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to recreation programming.
Initially, the city ordered 13,500 pads, 19,500 tampons, and 10,000 disposal bags. As of last October, the public used 13,500 pads, 15,500 tampons, and 6,500 bags.
If the city continues the project, administrators recommend using up the rest of the products before asking city councillors to extend funding in the municipal budget.
City councillors approved the pilot project with a budget of $19,000.
Several municipalities, school boards, and libraries offer products available free of charge, and last May, the federal government updated the Canada Labour Code so employers must make them available to workers at no cost.
