Centennial College says it will start providing free menstrual products, converting dispensers in its women’s restrooms so the machines no longer require payment.

The college says its next step will be to install complimentary dispensers in every restroom, regardless of gender.

“Having personal hygiene dispensers available in the inclusive washroom works towards eliminating potential discrimination from washroom selection choice and provides an inclusive environment for accessing necessary products in washroom use,” the college said in a news release.

Centennial said providing free tampons and pads will also help address economic needs, as “the cost of purchasing feminine hygiene products on campus can be burdensome for some students.”

“The idea came when a staff member in our social-equity division raised it as a possible item that we could do, just to make things a little more equitable on campus,” said Shannon Brooks, Centennial’s associate vice-president of corporate services.

“It was actually a male staff member. He realized that female students have to pay for these supplies when a male student has everything they need when they go to the washroom,” Brooks said.

“I know that nearly 90 per cent of our students are on (student assistance). Our students have demonstrated that they have financial need to attend school so any little thing we can do to provide support and give them a better experience at the college is something that we are interested in doing.”

The move follows measures taken in New York, where the state announced it would provide free feminine hygiene products in schools. The proposal there would require schools to provide menstrual products in restrooms for girls between grades 6 and 12.