Essity, a global leader in hygiene and health, has announced its most impactful year yet in product donations, reinforcing its commitment to tackling hygiene poverty in the UK.
In collaboration with UK charity partner, In Kind Direct, Essity donated over 5.5 million essential hygiene products in 2024, supporting more than 3,322 charitable organisations nationwide.
As hygiene poverty continues to affect over nine million UK adults, Essity’s donations have ensured access to essential products that promote dignity, health, and well-being. Since 2002, the organisation has donated a staggering 36,778,954 products to provide vital support to communities in need.
Significant donation milestones from 2024 include:
- More than one million toilet rolls donated, helping support 62,500 families for a month.
- Over four million Bodyform period pads donated annually, ensuring 64,000 periods with dignity.
- Over 19,000 units of period underwear distributed, reducing stigma and enabling more sustainable period care.
- Quarterly TORK professional hygiene product donations, supporting 2,258 organisations.
Essity is dedicated to making a difference in the regions where it operates and where its employees live and work. Charities near its mills and offices have directly benefited from these efforts, including 13 charities within ten miles of its Prudhoe mill, 16 near the Stubbins Mill, and 74 near the Didsbury office. The company also encourages its employees to actively engage with their local communities, offering opportunities for volunteering and corporate giving to further amplify its impact.
Gareth Lucy, Communications Director at Essity, commented: “We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made this year, but it’s about more than just the numbers. Behind every donation is a person whose life is made a little easier, whether that’s a parent struggling to afford essentials, a young person accessing period products with dignity, or a charity able to offer better support to its community.
“Our teams across the UK are passionate about making a difference where they live and work, and it’s inspiring to see their dedication. Looking ahead to 2025, we want to build on this momentum – increasing our support, strengthening local partnerships, and finding new ways to ensure everyone has access to the essentials they deserve.”
These partnerships can also drive wider societal change. Since recent research by Essity and In Kind Direct discovered that £3.25bn is lost annually due to missed work, and 1.4 million people went without period products last year, the two organisations are now seeking cross-government action to tackle period inequity.
Michael Gidney, CEOat In Kind Direct, added: “The need for hygiene essentials has never been greater, and every donation helps charities like ours provide vital support to people facing daily challenges. With Essity’s continued contributions, we’ve been able to reach more communities, ensuring that hygiene essentials don’t have to be a luxury. Their support makes a real difference – not just in providing products, but in driving conversations and action on wider issues like period inequity. It’s the collective effort of businesses, charities, and policymakers that will create lasting change.”
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