Brisbane midwife’s vending machine plan to help ease period poverty

A Brisbane woman is gearing up to tackle the period poverty crisis in Australia with a new social impact start-up.

On The House founder Remy Tucker. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A Brisbane woman is gearing up to tackle the period poverty crisis in Australia with a new social impact start-up.

Remy Tucker, 25, first came up with On the House three years ago while studying midwifery, with the first instalment set to launch this week.

The concept involves digital vending machines around the country that provide women in need access to period products free of charge.

In order to fund the start-up and to continue to fund the period products, On The House will rely upon businesses seeking to have ads displayed on the machines and the products.

Afterpay became their first launch partner.

“More than three in five women have been forced to use makeshift pads due to poverty and two in three of those admitted to using toilet paper, tissues and even socks, which is just harrowing,” Ms Tucker said.

Remy hopes to eventually set up 20,000 vending machines globally. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Of those, three in five noted that they had missed key life events because they didn’t have access to period products.”

The first five machines will open across Brisbane on July 7, at Griffith University Nathan and QCARD campuses, The University of Queensland, CBUS Super stadium and The Tivoli.

Ms Tucker eventually hopes there will 20,000 globally, along with a rural and remote community outreach program.

Customers simply scan the machine’s displayed QR code and select their products, with a current limit of four boxes.

“We have put a product limit in place to stop people abusing the system,” Ms Tucker said. “There is flexibility though, you can just email our team and we will increase your limit.”

At this stage, the machines will only dispense organic, biodegradable winged pads, but Ms Tucker says they hope to provide tampons in the future.