Shoppers helping to tackle rising levels of hygiene poverty

Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products a lot of people take for granted.

Tesco has partnered with its suppliers of well-known household brands such as Radox, Sure, Bodyform and Aquafresh to help distribute millions of personal care items to people who are in need.

A survey commissioned by Essity, in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct, has illustrated how Salisbury people are currently experiencing hygiene poverty.

The survey found that 21 per cent of households with dependents in the region have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant.

It also showed that people across the region who have struggled to buy hygiene products during the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (29 per cent) or used free products in public areas (29 per cent).

Thomas Maier, Category Buying Manager for Beauty and Personal Care at Tesco, said: “This new research highlights how the number of families being impacted by hygiene poverty has grown in recent years.

“That is why the work done by In Kind Direct to help people is so important and we are really pleased to be working again with our suppliers to provide hygiene products where they are needed most.” 

For every two purchases by Salisbury Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to the charity “In Kind Direct,” which works with charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools to get much-needed hygiene products into the hands of people who need them. The charity will then distribute these products.

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Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct, said: “Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision to heat, eat or keep clean on a daily basis, and unfortunately more and more people are being pushed into this position.

“We know hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows that financial difficulties are now impacting everyone. 

“The ripple effect impacts mental health, workplace productivity and school attendance – it’s something that requires collective action which is why we’ve formed this partnership with Tesco and some of our committed corporate partners to help reduce hygiene poverty.”

Participating in the campaign are Unilever, Essity, Haleon and Kimberly-Clark, and they are joined by a new partner, Edgewell.

The campaign take place in Salisbury’s Tesco superstores until 11 June. To find your nearest store in the area, visit: https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/