“We are innovating towards period products that are not only good for women, but for Mother Earth.”
Mary Nyaruai Mureithi is founder of Nyungu Afrika, a social and climate positive enterprise using circular design to end period poverty with safe, non-toxic and affordable period products made from agricultural waste. This brand of pads hopes to revolutionise the way menstruation is viewed in Africa by making use of underutilised, locally abundant materials like pineapple leaves and corn husks while creating a positive impact for both consumers and non-consumers of sanitary pads by including them at all stages of the value chain—as entrepreneurs or employees in production, suppliers, distributors, health educators, and consumers. The founder of the women-run startup, Mary Nyaruai Mureithi, explains: ‘We are innovating towards period products that are not only good for women, but for Mother Earth, that cut across six UN sustainable goals.’ Their products are fully biodegradable, unlike conventional pads which are often packed with single-use plastics and harmful chemicals.
WINNER OF THE NO WASTE CHALLENGE
Nyungu Afrika is one of the winners of What Design Can Do’s No Waste Challenge, which was launched earlier this year together with IKEA Foundation, to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: waste.
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