Life of Riley at Merck

Free period products are being made available to colleagues at Merck following a new partnership with Cork-based business Riley.

Merck, a science and technology company in Carrigtwohil, said it was important for it to source toxin and chemical-free, eco-friendly products for health, wellbeing and sustainability improvements.

The company said it was delighted to support Riley, a local business.

Riley provides sustainable period products while also supporting an end to period poverty in the developing world.

The products are now available in bathrooms across the site with talks ongoing to introduce the initiative in other Merck sites nationally and globally.

Site Director at Merck Martin McAuliffe said: “Embedding Merck’s think and act sustainably ethos in all our decision making is key and our partnership with Riley is an example of how the Cork site is living these priorities. We are also proud to be the first manufacturing site in Ireland to work with Riley to introduce free period products for our colleagues. My hope is that this will act as a catalyst for other employers to provide these products for their employees.”

Lauren Duggan from Riley said: “Our mission at Riley is ultimately to improve women’s lives. We believe no person should have to exclude themselves from the activities of daily life, work or education during menstruation due to lack of access to products, or using unsuitable period products.”