How to choose the right period product solution for your workplace.
Not all period product programs work the same way. Placement, product quality, installation, refill process, labor, cost, and scalability all impact how well a program works for both employees and facilities teams.
This guide breaks down the major workplace period product dispenser options and what to consider before choosing one.
Providing period products is the first step.
How you provide them matters.
The three common ways workplaces provide period products
How do in-stall period product dispensers compare with legacy machines and countertop baskets?
Here’s how the three approaches differ in access, installation, maintenance, product quality, and refilling.
Common-area dispensers
Traditional period product machines are typically installed on a restroom wall near the sinks or entrance and dispense products from a centralized location.
Best for: Organizations that prefer one centralized dispenser per restroom.
Consider: Products are not available at the point of need, refills can take longer depending on the system, mechanical dispensers may jam or require maintenance, and equipment costs can add up across multiple restrooms.
W08.1: Hygiene Support
C13.1 Integrate Universal Design
in every stall
Installed inside each individual stall, in-stall dispensers make pads and tampons available directly at the point of need.
Best for: Organizations prioritizing immediate access, consistency, and a toilet-paper-like standard.
Consider: Installation, dispenser footprint, refill method, and product selection.
Baskets & containers
Pads and tampons can also be placed loose in baskets, jars, drawers, or other containers in the common restroom area.
Best for: Organizations needing a temporary solution while determining the right program.
Consider: Baskets and containers can look like an afterthought, require frequent manual monitoring and restocking, and leave products exposed to moisture, splashes, and repeated handling in the restroom environment. Products can also become disorganized, damaged, or run out unevenly without a structured dispensing system.
Where the dispenser is located matters
Think about toilet paper.
Toilet paper is located inside the stall because that's where someone needs it.
Period products are no different.
A common-area solution technically makes products available. An in-stall solution makes them available at the point of need.
What should you compare before choosing a dispenser?
Placement
Are products available where someone actually needs them, or does the user have to plan ahead or find a temporary solution once they’re already in the stall?
Product selection
Does the system provide both pads and tampons?
Installation
How complicated is deployment? Does installation require tools, contractors, drilling, or significant modifications?
Refill process
Are products restocked individually or replaced through a cartridge system? How much handling and labor does each refill require?
Product quality
What materials are used? What type of tampon applicator is provided? It it organic? Would employees actually choose these products for themselves?
Cost at scale
Consider more than the dispenser itself. Equipment, installation, refills, maintenance, labor, replacement parts, and shipping can all affect the total cost of a workplace program.
The best solution works for the person using it
and the person maintaining it.
Don't overlook the products inside the dispenser
Access doesn't mean much if people don't want to use the product.
The $20K cardboard lesson
A distributor partner once called us about a customer sitting on $20,000 worth of period products they planned to donate.
The reason? Cardboard applicators.
Tampons provided in commercial restrooms often differ significantly in quality and design. Applicator material, cotton content, absorbency, pad construction, and overall user experience should be part of the purchasing decision.
Before choosing a workplace period product program, ask:
What is the tampon made from?
What type of applicator does it use?
What is the pad top sheet made from?
Would employees reasonably choose these products themselves?
Consider the
facilities workload
Facilities teams should consider:
-
How often will dispensers need to be checked?
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How long does each refill take?
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Are products loaded individually or by cartridge?
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How much packaging needs to be handled and discarded?
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Can the same system be standardized across locations?
UNICORN: Built into the existing restroom routine
UNICORN doesn’t need a separate maintenance process. Facilities teams can check the dispenser at the same time they check toilet paper and other restroom essentials.
The UNICORN system means:
~30 seconds to install a dispenser
~10 seconds to replace a cartridge
Up to 15 labor hours saved annually per bathroom
Compare workplace period product solutions
How do in-stall period product dispensers compare with legacy machines and countertop baskets?
Here’s how the three approaches differ in access, installation, maintenance, product quality, and refilling.
Need to leave the stall
Complicated install, drywall cuts
Expensive dispensers, no warranty
Jams and breaks
Cardboard applicators, rejected by 99% of organic tampon buyers
Tedious, piece-by-piece refills
Legacy dispensers
in every stall
Inside the stall, right where it's needed
30-second peel-and-stick installation
Free dispenser program available
No moving parts to jam
Plant-based applicators, organic cotton
10-second cartridge system refills
W08.1: Hygiene Support
C13.1 Integrate Universal Design
Basket set up
Need to leave the stall
Looks like an afterthought. Because it is.
Cheap (looks that way, too)
Wet counter, soggy products
Cardboard applicators, rejected by 99% of organic tampon buyers
Tedious, piece-by-piece refills
Designed for commercial restrooms, built to scale
One standard. Across every stall.
UNICORN’s in-stall system is designed for:
✔ Corporate workplaces
✔ Commercial real estate
✔ Schools and campuses
✔ Financial institutions
✔ Hospitality
✔ Large multi-location portfolios
Whether a program starts with a few stalls or expands across hundreds of locations, the dispenser, products, and refill process remain consistent.
FAQ
What is the best period product dispenser for a workplace?
The best workplace period product dispenser puts both pads and tampons at the point of need, uses products people actually want to use, is simple to install and refill, reduces facilities labor, and can scale consistently across locations.
What types of period product dispensers are available for workplaces?
The primary approaches are in-stall dispensers, common-area dispensers or machines, and loose products provided in baskets or containers. Each approach differs in accessibility, maintenance, installation, and user experience.
Should workplace dispensers provide both pads and tampons?
Providing both pads and tampons gives users a choice and allows the workplace program to serve different product preferences.
What should facilities managers consider when choosing a period product dispenser?
Facilities managers should consider installation time, refill process, product capacity, frequency of maintenance, product handling, ongoing supply costs, and whether the system can be standardized across multiple bathrooms and locations.
How much do workplace period product dispensers cost?
Costs vary by system and can include dispensers, installation, products, shipping, facilities labor, maintenance, and replacement parts. Organizations should evaluate the total cost of operating the program as well as the dispenser price alone. UNICORN offers dispenser programs.
Why does UNICORN use plant-based applicators instead of cardboard?
UNICORN uses plant-based applicators to provide a user experience closer to the products people typically choose for themselves rather than relying on traditional cardboard applicators.
Where should workplace period product dispensers be located?
Period products can be provided inside individual stalls or in common areas of the restroom. In-stall placement puts products directly at the point of need, similar to toilet paper.
Does product quality matter when choosing a workplace dispenser?
Yes. Access and product quality are separate considerations. Buyers should evaluate tampon materials and applicator design, pad construction, product ingredients, and whether the products reflect what users would reasonably choose for themselves.
Can UNICORN help me build a period product dispenser program?
Yes. UNICORN can help you build your program. Reach out to Lindsay at lindsay@everystall.com or complete our Build Your Program form to get started.