A new national survey from ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, shows that access to free and accessible period care products remains limited in facilities across the U.S. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, one in three low-income women in the U.S. report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.

According to the 2025 ISSA “End Period Poverty” Facility Survey, conducted by All In One Insights, fewer than half (44%) of organizations reported offering period care products in any form. Only 38% provide them for free in restrooms, a critical step in ensuring dignity, health and accessibility for building occupants.

The survey, which included responses from 421 facility managers, building service contractors and in-house providers across commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, industrial and public venues, found that:

• Cost and awareness remain the most significant barriers: More than one in three respondents admitted they had “never considered” providing period care products, while 25% cited cost as a primary obstacle.
• Education leads the way: K-12 schools (42.9%) and higher education (60.7%) facilities reported the highest adoption rates of free product programs, often driven by legislation and student demand.
• Ongoing commitment is strong: Encouragingly, 91% of facilities that currently provide period care products said they plan to continue.
• Customer and employee demand make a difference: More than one-third of respondents said customer demand or government requirements would motivate them to adopt a free vending program.
• Disposal solutions are present, but improvements are needed: While most facilities provide some form of menstrual product disposal, there are significant opportunities to expand discreet, single-use in-stall options to reduce flushing and other unsanitary practices.

“These findings underscore the urgent need for greater education, advocacy, and investment to end period poverty,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. “No one should have to choose between their basic health needs and participating fully in school, work, or daily life. Access to period care products is as essential as access to soap and toilet paper.”

Through its End Period Poverty initiative, ISSA is working to close these gaps by:

• Raising awareness among facility managers and service providers about the importance of equitable access.
• Offering educational resources and advocacy tools to support the adoption of free vending programs.
• Engaging industry stakeholders to remove barriers and promote sustainable solutions for period product provision and disposal.

ISSA calls on businesses, schools, policymakers and facility leaders to join its mission to ensure period care products are available, accessible and stigma-free in all public spaces.

For more information about ISSA’s End Period Poverty initiative and to access the full survey report, visit about.issa.com/end-period-poverty-facility-survey/

About ISSA
With more than 11,000 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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For more information, contact ISSA Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Jill Nuppenau at [email protected].