While studying at the University’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Kira Goode and Monica Wai researched the barriers to the uptake of reusable menstrual cups.

They found that concerns around cleaning and sterilising menstrual cups in public toilets and shared living spaces overrode potential users’ desire to become greener.

In the UK, more than 4.3 billion disposable period products are used and disposed of every year.

Today, their startup Eleria launched its menstrual cup cleaning and sterilisation case, which is made in the UK from medical grade silicone and recycled medical grade plastic.

Monica and Kira said that the product is designed to “fit discreetly in even the smallest of handbags” and “allows users to clean their cup in public restrooms and sterilise their cup in shared living spaces quickly, simply and discreetly”. You can watch a short animation on how the case works here.

Monica and Kira said: “We are excited that the experience of the user is finally going to be taken into account when it comes to sustainable period products, and that we are the ones to help do that, but also hope to see a positive impact on menstruators as well and the planet from this.”

The pair won funding from the University in 2022. Eleria also offers five variations of period cups.

Eleria tested their products with independent research participants ahead of their launch, one participant said that “it was a relief to finally have something that will sort out this problem for me …. just can’t believe why this wasn’t done sooner”.

When asked about how the cup had affected their experience cleaning a period cup in public, another said: “It definitely improved my experience of using a cup as it gave me reassurance it was clean between uses.”