Better for Your Body, Better for the Planet
17th October 2021
Last month, Vodafone Ireland announced a partnership with sustainable period product subscription service, Riley, and will provide free period products to all employees at its head office in Dublin and in retail stores. The announcement marks another significant step in Vodafone’s commitment to ensuring employees are supported through every life stage.
Vodafone Ireland will make Riley sustainable period products available to employees at its head office in Mountainview, and to those employees located in the 21 retail stores nationwide. The introduction is expected to impact over 500 Vodafone employees across Ireland.
Riley is a business born out of the pandemic, spearheaded by three female entrepreneurs, Aine Kilkenny, Fiona Parfrey and Lauren Duggan, based in West Cork.
With the average sanitary pad containing an approximate plastic content of 90%, Riley sought to create an eco-friendly alternative that wouldn’t harm the planet.
All of their products are made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, which means there are no added chemicals or toxins. The majority of packaging is compostable, and the tampon applicators are bio-based and made from sustainable sugar cane. Finding sustainable solutions is a core pillar of Vodafone’s business with the network recently announcing that its entire Irish operations – including mobile and fixed networks, data centres, retail and offices – are now 100% powered by electricity from renewable sources.
The partnership with Riley will help Vodafone meet its ambition to be recognised as the world’s best employer for women by 2025. Other pioneering programmes implemented by Vodafone include progressive flexible working policies, maternity and parental leave that supports families to share caring responsibilities in the home, ReConnect to attract talented women back to the workplace, global menopause commitment and a ground-breaking Domestic Violence and Abuse policy.
Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland said: “Vodafone values innovation and it is fantastic to see a small Irish business like Riley, see a problem and find a sustainable solution through the development of their eco-friendly period products. Our ambition is to be recognised as the world’s best employer for women by 2025 and globally we have developed and introduced a series of pioneering programmes in support of female employees. Our partnership with Riley is another positive step towards supporting our colleagues through all life stages.”
Fiona Parfrey, Co-Founder of Riley added:
“Our mission at Riley is ultimately to improve women’s lives”.
“With our eco-friendly period products made from 100% organic cotton, women are getting sanitary products that are better for their bodies and better for the planet. Organisations working together is a major piece of the puzzle towards female equality. We are thrilled to be partnering with Vodafone, a female led business that values the health and wellbeing of all it’s employees.”
Pictured (l-r): Anne O’Leary, CEO Vodafone Ireland and Fiona Parfrey, Co-Founder of Riley.
