The Story Behind Ruby Cup
Ruby Cup is on a mission to change the way the world thinks about periods. Since 2012, we’ve been breaking taboos and rewriting the rules around menstrual health. We were the first to launch the Buy One, Give One model for menstrual cups, so every time you make a purchase, someone without access to safe period care receives one too. Simple, impactful, and life-changing. But we’re not just about products: we’re a purpose-driven movement.
We’re here to make period care sustainable, stigma-free, and accessible to everyone.
From improving health outcomes to opening up honest conversations and delivering education where it’s needed most, everything we do is rooted in impact.
Because when people have the tools and knowledge to manage their periods safely, confidently, and with dignity, everything changes.
Story Behind Ruby Cup
a mission to change the way the world thinks about periods. we’ve been breaking taboos and rewriting the rules around health. We were the first to launch the Buy One, Give One model for so every time you make a purchase, someone without access care receives one too. Simple, impactful, and life-changing. just about products: we’re a purpose-driven movement.
make period care sustainable, stigma-free, and accessible to
health outcomes to opening up honest conversations and education where it’s needed most, everything we do is rooted in
people have the tools and knowledge to manage their periods confidently, and with dignity, everything changes.
What Makes Us Different?
A Ruby Cup is more than a convenient way for you to manage your period. It’s a guarantee that someone, somewhere in the world, will be able to do the same. With this Impact Report, we’d like to show you how we go beyond our Buy One, Give One promise to make sure nobody is held back by their period. This is our vision and our main driver as a social enterprise. With the help of a network of locally-based partner organizations, we have been tackling the challenges of period poverty. We’ve become the world’s leading donor of menstrual cups, with more than 14 years of experience and over 155,000 cups donated.
We have identified three key elements in our fight against period poverty:
Access to and ongoing support with safe menstrual care products
Comprehensive, empowering period education that helps destigmatize menstruation
Access to water and other WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) infrastructure
Makes Us Different?
more than a convenient way for you to manage your period. It’s a someone, somewhere in the world, will be able to do the same. Report, we’d like to show you how we go beyond our Buy promise to make sure nobody is held back by their period. and our main driver as a social enterprise. a network of locally-based partner organizations, we have been challenges of period poverty. We’ve become the world’s leading menstrual cups, with more than 14 years of experience and over donated.
have identified three key elements in our fight period poverty:
Access to and ongoing support with safe menstrual care products
Comprehensive, empowering period education that helps destigmatize menstruation
Access to water and other WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) infrastructure
Our Buy One, Give One Model
Our programme follows a clear, structured approach to ensure impact and accountability:
Purchase With Purpose
A customer buys a cup and we match it with another cup to be donated to one of our locally based partners.
Responsible Distribution
Our partners receive a shipment of cups for their needs. We ship donations in batches to reduce carbon emissions.
Education & Empowerment
Our partners distribute the cups with an educational workshop. We have produced a detailed menstrual health and cup training toolkit.
Follow-Up & Support
Supportive follow-ups and ongoing evaluation are carried out after 6-7 weeks and 6 months, to help with doubts and questions.
Measuring Impact
Partners must produce a report after 6-12 months with learnings and uptake rates. Succesful programmes have an average uptake rate of 80%.
Buy One, One Model
Purchase With Purpose
A customer buys a cup and we match it with another cup to be donated to one of our locally based partners.
Responsible Distribution
Our partners receive a shipment of cups for their needs. We ship donations in batches to reduce carbon emissions.
Education & Empowerment
Our partners distribute the cups with an educational workshop. We have produced a detailed menstrual health and cup training toolkit.
Follow-Up & Support
Supportive follow-ups and ongoing evaluation are carried out after 6-7 weeks and 6 months, to help with doubts and questions.
Measuring Impact
Partners must produce a report after 6-12 months with learnings and uptake rates. Succesful programmes have an average uptake rate of 80%.
programme follows a clear, structured approach to ensure accountability: This programme purchased
Figures That Matter:
Behind every statistic is a life improved, a community supported, a planet a little healthier. Our numbers carry meaning, and every story brings the figures to life.
© Ahmad Tea/ Ruby Cup CSR Partner
Figures That Matter:
every statistic is a life improved, community supported, a planet a little Our numbers carry meaning, story brings the figures to life.
Expanding Our Global Impact
Impact
Total donated 2024-2025
Over several new partnerships includes Foundation, new initiatives menstrual In 2024, supporting through activities National partnerships people London. In the some collaborations.
Ruby Cup NGO Partner
Our partners in 2024 and 2025
partners in and 2025
Period – UK
– UK
– UK (research) - UK
Sports – UK
Juego – Colombia
Bangladesh – Malawi
– Malawi
- Uganda
Foundation - Kenya
Lenses Changing Lives - Kenya
Foundation - Kenya
Queens - Kenya/Uganda
Pere Tarrés - Spain
Nepal Tree Foundation - Zambia
Ripple Africa
A community development organisation working in Malawi
Malawi
2,750 cups Where Distributed in 2024-2025
2,750 cups Distributed 2024-2025
In 2024, Ruby Cup Ripple Africa to pilot rural Malawian product distribution education about Over the course menstrual cups students across and one secondary accompanied by deliveredbylocally
The results were girls reported regularly cups, highlighting financial savings, and the ability withoutinterruption.
Even more striking, used the cups said them over disposable Before receiving faced financial disposablepads,which
Ripple Africa
“We have been grateful for the advice and support provided by Ruby Cup since we approached them about our two-phase menstrual cup trial in Malawi. The team were always quick to respond to our queries, connected us with a great incountry menstrual cup trainer, and have checked in throughout our trial to find out how the project has been received. We have distributed almost 3,000 Ruby Cups which are really good quality, and the women and girls that have received them love them. We hope to continue working with Ruby Cup in the future.”
Nikki Khoram, Operations Manager Ripple Africa
“I told my mother and she was grateful that Ripple Africa are helping us save money by providing this product. I like that it does not leak too.”
Esther (14), Ripple Africa programme participant
Ripple Africa
been grateful for the advice and provided by Ruby Cup since we approached them about our two-phase menstrual cup trial in Malawi. The team always quick to respond to our connected us with a great inmenstrual cup trainer, and have in throughout our trial to find out project has been received. We have distributed almost 3,000 Ruby Cups which good quality, and the women and have received them love them. We continue working with Ruby Cup in future.”
my mother and she was grateful Ripple Africa are helping us save providing this product. I like that not leak too.”
programme participant
“My mother find the money menstrual again.”
Agnes (14), Ripple Africa programme
Manager Ripple Africa
© Ripple Africa/
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, working to prevent drowning worldwide.
120 cups Where Distributed in 2024
RNLI (Ahmad Solaiman)/ Ruby Cup NGO Partner
National Lifeboat Institution, prevent drowning worldwide.
Through its international prevention work, RNLI Centre for Injury Research Bangladesh organisation addressing Bangladesh’s most challenges: childhood Bangladesh alone, die every day from survival swimming savingintervention.
Most survival swimming women,anduntilrecently, posed a significant Classes were often periods due to lack menstrual products, number of children swimming lessons. partnered with RNLI address this challenge menstrualcups
“At first, I was menstrual them very feel free to any working continue to advocates
Nahid
Akter, Communications Manager, Injury Prevention
In Kind Direct
The leading product-giving charity in the UK
Where UK
960 cups Distributed in 2024-25
Kind Direct
product-giving charity in the UK
cups Distributed 2024-25
In 2024 and 2025, with In Kind Direct poverty and defend dignity across the United day, In Kind Direct working with people from domestic violence refugees to families homelessnessandfinancial
Together, we donated over two years, supporting organisations across community centres, services, domestic organisations,and groups.
According to In research,morethan
“We constantly for being able toiletries. financially Period Power Charity
“This was nervous, but Cup recipient, London
“Products like they start conversations.” Charity coordinator,
A Catalan NGO working in Achham, in the remote west of Nepal
Where Nepal BeArtsy
Distributed in 2024
1,000 cups
/ Ruby Cup NGO Partner
NGO working in Achham, remote west of Nepal
Since 2016, Ruby Cup BeArtsy to tackle menstrual break deep-seated Nepal through the this region, the centuries-old practice considers and girls “impure,” in huts and preventing touchingwatersources family life. The practice to extreme risks, including disease, animal exclusion. Together, we have menstrual cups health and sexual for women and teenage schoolsandinthe
The Rato Baltin Project photography, discussion, participants asafe
“I am very help us at trainers. When blush if we And the following peers about with power, Just for those difficulties
Clara Garcia Ortés, Founder of BeArtsy
Ruby Cup Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme
Cup Corporate Responsibility Programme
In 2023, Responsibility support contributing around the be simple own teams the same menstrual
How the Ruby Cup CSR Programme Works
Supporting employees
Companies purchase Ruby Cup menstrual cups and/or Flow Freedom period underwear for their employees. This helps people manage their periods safely and comfortably at work, while also encouraging more open conversations about menstruation. .
Creating wider impact
For every reusable product purchased through the CSR programme, Ruby Cup donates menstrual cups and financial support to NGO partners working in menstrual health education and access. This means that each corporate order helps support people beyond the workplace.
Reducing environmental impact
By choosing reusable products, companies help reduce waste and emissions. One menstrual cup can replace thousands disposable pads and tampons, making it a longlasting and environmentally friendly solution.
the Ruby Cup CSR Programme Works
Supporting employees
Companies purchase Ruby Cup menstrual cups and/or Flow Freedom period underwear for their employees. This helps people manage their periods safely and comfortably at work, while also encouraging more open conversations about menstruation.
Creating wider impact
For every reusable product purchased through the CSR programme, Ruby Cup donates menstrual cups and financial support to NGO partners working in menstrual health education and access. This means that each corporate order helps support people beyond the workplace.
Reducing environmental impact
By choosing reusable products, companies help reduce waste and emissions. One menstrual cup can replace thousands disposable pads and tampons, making it a longlasting and environmentally friendly solution.
Since its launch, the workplace benefits In 2024–25, partners and Volcano Theatre to their teams. Together, CSR partnerships cups across multiple promoting long-term,
CSR Partner Spotlight: Ahmad Tea
Partner Spotlight: Ahmad Tea
Ahmad Tea, winner Development, is a cups directly for combining product
In total, more than received Ruby Cups. workshops on menstrual two hours and created sessions provided became “Cup Ladies”, communities.
Later, the programme girls in secondary beneficiaries gain them safely, while menstruation.
Ahmad Tea CSR Programme: Summary of Impact
Employees Impact
Average adoption rate: around 90%, with most participants using their cups consistently over several months.
Women reported improved comfort and dignity, with many saving money previously spent on disposable pads.
Peer encouragement was important: women who adopted the cups early helped motivate others. Training in local languages and access to running water supported confidence and ease of use.
Ahmad Tea CSR Programme: Summary of Impact
Employees Impact
Average adoption rate: around 90%, with most participants using their cups consistently over several months. Women reported improved comfort and dignity, with many saving money previously on disposable pads.
encouragement was important: women adopted the cups early helped motivate others. Training in local languages and access to running water supported confidence and ease of
© Ahmad Tea/ Ruby Cup CSR Partner
Impact
Girls reported comfortable absenteeism
Follow-up difficulties, Money redirected as books, Some students friends curiosity health.
Overall, the CSR combining product to high adoption impacts on both
Fearless: Our Latest Step In Sustainable Menstrual Care
Fearless: Our Latest Step In Sustainable Menstrual Care
In 2025, Ruby Cup underwear range designed our continued commitment inclusive, and confidence‐boosting
Like all Ruby Cup products, from OEKO‐TEX®‐certified a wide range of sizes period protection.
The Learning Centre
To see the impact of this partnership firsthand, we spoke with Golda Ayodo, coordinator of the Golden Girls Foundation, who shares how these donations make a real difference for the Learning Centre, its children,andthelocalcommunity.
How did the Learning Centre start? How many children do you support?
The Golden Foundation Learning Centre was established in 2015 using savings from Golden Girls Foundation mentors, during our early partnership with Ruby Cup. It’s built on the principle of Education for Sustainable Development and offers a strong foundation for lifelong success. Beyond teaching children, the centre also provides training for teachers and creates income opportunities for local women. Today, the school supports 200 pupils.
How does the nursery help mothers and families, in terms of accessing work and financial independence?
We employ women from the community as teachers and support staff, providing them with stable income. The daycare also serves as a safe space for working mothers, who can drop off their children and even breastfeed during breaks. Currently, the school employs 20 staff members, many of them local women.
Learning Centre
impact of this partnership firsthand, we spoke with Golda coordinator of the Golden Girls Foundation, who shares how donations make a real difference for the Learning Centre, its thelocalcommunity.
the
Learning Centre start? How children do you support?
Foundation Learning Centre was established in 2015 savings from Golden Girls Foundation mentors, during our partnership with Ruby Cup. It’s built on the principle of for Sustainable Development and offers a strong for lifelong success. Beyond teaching children, the provides training for teachers and creates income for local women. Today, the school supports 200 does the nursery help mothers and in terms of accessing work and independence?
women from the community as teachers and support providing them with stable income. The daycare also serves space for working mothers, who can drop off their even breastfeed during breaks. Currently, the school staff members, many of them local women.
How has Cup helped centre?
The donation projects, including tanks and gutters, Ruby Cup was classrooms after more like 20%
What
are
children,
Our biggest generational great equalizer. You can help life-changing
Sustainable Products, Lasting Impact
Ruby Cup products are designed to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions over the long term. By replacing disposable pads and tampons with reusable alternatives, our community helps prevent significant amounts of plastic waste and CO₂ emissions every year.
A single Ruby Cup can be used for up to 10 years, replacing around 2,400 disposable period products. Ruby Cup period underwear can be used for up to 5 years, replacing hundreds of disposable products over its lifetime.
Sustainable Products, Lasting Impact
products are designed to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions over replacing disposable pads and tampons with reusable alternatives, helps prevent significant amounts of plastic waste and CO₂ emissions
Cup can be used for up to 10 years, replacing around 2,400 products. Ruby Cup period underwear can be used for up to 5 hundreds of disposable products over its lifetime.
What This Means in Real Terms
To help visualize the impact of the donated Ruby Cups: fully loaded garbage trucks that never reached landfill over 400 blue whales, equivalent weight of the plastic saved
3 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with plastic waste prevented
This Means in
Terms
visualize the impact of the donated fully loaded garbage trucks that never reached landfill over 400 blue whales, equivalent weight of the plastic saved
Waste Saved
3 Olympic-sized swimming pools filled with plastic waste prevented
And this impact considering all currently in use even greater.
Our Sustainability Progress 2024–25
Sustainability Progress 2024–25
Eco-Friendly come
Shipping to seafreight the emissions.
Business 60 tonnes planting
Ethical Shopping Comparison rated
Cradle
Ruby
Ruby Cup & Carbon Neutral Britain
Since December 2024, Ruby Cup is proud to be a certified Carbon Neutral Small Business through Carbon Neutral Britain™, a UK programme that offsets the full footprint of small businesses—including electricity, waste, delivery, and other operationalemissions.
Each year, Ruby Cup neutralizes 60 tonnes of CO₂e and supports tree planting projects, both in the UK and worldwide. Since December 2024, we have helped plant almost 400 trees and supported initiatives that promote clean energy, biodiversity, and education.
This certification reflects Ruby Cup’s mission to reduce environmental impact through reusableperiodproductswhileactivelycontributingtoclimateaction.
Cup & Carbon Neutral Britain
2024, Ruby Cup is proud to be a certified Carbon Neutral Small Carbon Neutral Britain™, a UK programme that offsets the full small businesses—including electricity, waste, delivery, and other emissions.
Cup neutralizes 60 tonnes of CO₂e and supports tree planting the UK and worldwide. Since December 2024, we have helped plant trees and supported initiatives that promote clean energy, education.
reflects Ruby Cup’s mission to reduce environmental impact through productswhileactivelycontributingtoclimateaction.
Highest Achieved
Ruby Cup scored 100 EthicalComparisonRatings
The Good Shopping ethical brands. They treatment of people means Ruby Cup meets
Our top rating
Environmentally reduce waste
Cruelty-free Fair and Transparency operate
This recognition highlights individualsbutalso
Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who made these last 2 years’ impact possible.
To our NGO partners: For your dedication, expertise, and tireless work in communities around the world. Your commitment ensures that our products reach those who need them most.
Thank You
To our CSR our mission, communities. To our resellers Cup and purchase, We couldn’t thank you to everyone who made these last 2 impact possible.
NGO partners: For your dedication, expertise, tireless work in communities around the world. commitment ensures that our products reach who need them most.
