Latest news with #Bunzl
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Periods aren't taboo any more. Can we please stop talking about them?
For a moment, I thought I might have picked up an old Telegraph by mistake. In a house awash with ancient, yellowing newspapers, it has been known to happen, and there's no way the headline I'm reading can be current. ' Not everyone who menstruates is a woman, says toiletry firm.' Bunzl – Britain's biggest toiletry supplier – might as well have puffed out its chest and announced: 'the world is flat'. That's how embarrassingly outdated its heroic little outburst is. Because – oh dear, how to put this? – there was a Supreme Court ruling, back in April, that made headlines around the world? No, not ringing any bells? It involved the legal definition of a woman and prompted companies across the UK – big companies, you know, like Barclays – either to implement immediate changes (such as barring transgender women from female bathrooms) or urgently review their wording, approach and practices. Oblivious, apparently, to any of this, Bunzl has blundered on. As part of a campaign designed to stop the stigma of talking about menstruation, the supplier would like to stress, again, that periods are 'not inherently feminine' (and I want to root out every staff member involved in that phrasing, sit them down, and get them to explain what they think the word 'inherently' means). Bunzl would like to urge us to 'be respectful of everyone's different experiences of their period. We can all empathise with the struggles that come with bleeding, even if they are different for each of us.' If you think that's a head-scratcher, have a read of the company's new, inclusive language guide, released to promote eco-friendly sanitary products by provider Grace and Green. A few of the common terms to be banished are 'sanitary', 'hygiene' and 'feminine products'. These should be replaced with the blanket term 'period products' – all together now – to avoid offence. I have an idea: why don't we stop talking about periods in any way, shape or form? Crazy notion, but I'm throwing it out there. Why don't we give the whole country a desperately needed break from menstruation? And while we're there, why not treat ourselves to a little reprieve from the menopause (otherwise known as the stopping of periods)? Because while I realise that dictionary definitions may not be Bunzl's forte, you cannot use the word 'stigma' about something that nobody ever stops talking about. You cannot pretend that a topic exhaustively covered across the media, a subject people now write bestselling books and Oscar-winning documentaries about, is taboo, outlawed, unmentionable. Periods are now whimsically mentioned by actresses in interviews. Global female music stars like Katy Perry will share what it was like to perform on the first day of her period in award acceptance speeches. Radio talk show hosts will offer up details about their cramps, and, (pet peeve) at any given opportunity, female characters in TV dramas will be shown having their period. How bold! How liberating! How crucial in normalising this long-shamed bodily function! To campaign for people to talk more about periods is a bit like saying: 'Can we please have a conversation about Meghan Markle?' While we're discussing the meaning of words, the opposite of 'talking about' something is not 'shaming', 'censoring' or 'silencing'. There are plenty of bodily functions – belonging to each and every gender, no squabbling please – that we choose not to talk about in daily life, largely because it would make for a searingly banal conversation. Do you see anyone trying to start a campaign to get people talking about trapped wind? No. But I'm sure it won't be long. The American science fiction writer Robert Heinlein came out with some brilliant quotes, but my favourite is this one: 'Each generation thinks it invented sex; each generation is totally mistaken.' In that single sentence, he captures so much: the narcissism of youth; the hilariously pompous conviction that everyone who came before us was ignorant and misguided – and that we are the only true trailblazers. One or two generations today seem to think that they invented periods, which no woman I know wants to talk about, no man either, and to suggest that trans people don't have better topics of discussion is, I think, pretty damn patronising. So shall we just go back to talking about sex? At least that was fun.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Periods aren't taboo anymore. Can we please stop talking about them?
For a moment, I thought I might have picked up an old Telegraph by mistake. In a house awash with ancient, yellowing newspapers, it has been known to happen, and there's no way the headline I'm reading can be current. 'Not everyone who menstruates is a woman, says toiletry firm.' Bunzl – Britain's biggest toiletry supplier – might as well have puffed out its chest and announced: 'the world is flat'. That's how embarrassingly outdated its heroic little outburst is. Because – oh dear, how to put this? – there was a Supreme Court ruling, back in April, that made headlines around the world? No, not ringing any bells? It involved the legal definition of a woman and prompted companies across the UK – big companies, you know, like Barclays – either to implement immediate changes (such as barring transgender women from female bathrooms) or urgently review their wording, approach and practices. Oblivious, apparently, to any of this, Bunzl has blundered on. As part of a campaign designed to stop the stigma of talking about menstruation, the supplier would like to stress, again, that periods are 'not inherently feminine' (and I want to root out every staff member involved in that phrasing, sit them down, and get them to explain what they think the word 'inherently' means). Bunzl would like to urge us to 'be respectful of everyone's different experiences of their period. We can all empathise with the struggles that come with bleeding, even if they are different for each of us.' If you think that's a head-scratcher, have a read of the company's new, inclusive language guide, released to promote eco-friendly sanitary products by provider Grace and Green. A few of the common terms to be banished are 'sanitary', 'hygiene' and 'feminine products'. These should be replaced with the blanket term 'period products' – all together now – to avoid offence. I have an idea: why don't we stop talking about periods in any way, shape or form? Crazy notion, but I'm throwing it out there. Why don't we give the whole country a desperately needed break from menstruation? And while we're there, why not treat ourselves to a little reprieve from the menopause (otherwise known as the stopping of periods)? Because while I realise that dictionary definitions may not be Bunzl's forte, you cannot use the word 'stigma' about something that nobody ever stops talking about. You cannot pretend that a topic exhaustively covered across the media, a subject people now write bestselling books and Oscar-winning documentaries about, is taboo, outlawed, unmentionable. Periods are now whimsically mentioned by actresses in interviews. Global female music stars like Katy Perry will share what it was like to perform on the first day of her period in award acceptance speeches. Radio talk show hosts will offer up details about their cramps, and, (pet peeve) at any given opportunity, female characters in TV dramas will be shown having their period. How bold! How liberating! How crucial in normalising this long-shamed bodily function! To campaign for people to talk more about periods is a bit like saying: 'Can we please have a conversation about Meghan Markle?' While we're discussing the meaning of words, the opposite of 'talking about' something is not 'shaming', 'censoring' or 'silencing'. There are plenty of bodily functions – belonging to each and every gender, no squabbling please – that we choose not to talk about in daily life, largely because it would make for a searingly banal conversation. Do you see anyone trying to start a campaign to get people talking about trapped wind? No. But I'm sure it won't be long. The American science fiction writer Robert Heinlein came out with some brilliant quotes, but my favourite is this one: 'Each generation thinks it invented sex; each generation is totally mistaken.' In that single sentence, he captures so much: the narcissism of youth; the hilariously pompous conviction that everyone who came before us was ignorant and misguided – and that we are the only true trailblazers. One or two generations today seem to think that they invented periods, which no woman I know wants to talk about, no man either, and to suggest that trans people don't have better topics of discussion is, I think, pretty damn patronising. So shall we just go back to talking about sex? At least that was fun. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Periods aren't only for women, says Britain's biggest toiletries supplier
Periods are ' not inherently feminine ', according to Britain's biggest toiletry supplier. Bunzl, the major distribution company, said 'not all people who menstruate are women' in a campaign designed to stop the stigma of talking about periods. As a result, it has now been accused of denying biological reality and 'pandering to trans activists'. Bunzl's inclusive language guide was released to promote eco-friendly sanitary products by provider Grace and Green. It suggests common terms such as 'sanitary', 'hygiene' and 'feminine products' should be replaced with the term 'period products' to avoid offence. It also advises against only referring women or girls, because 'non-binary people, transgender men and intersex people may also menstruate', and suggests providing period products and disposal bins in gender-neutral locations and all public lavatories. 'Most of all, be respectful of everyone's different experiences of their period,' it adds. 'We can all empathise with the struggles that come with bleeding, even if they are different for each of us.' Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy at the Sex Matters charity, called the language 'offensive' and accused the guide authors of 'erasing women and girls from the female-only experience of menstruation'. 'The only way that Grace and Green's products could truly be 'gender-neutral' is if its product designers had considered male anatomy when designing sanitary pads and tampons, which is clearly not the case,' she said. 'Coy phrases like 'feminine products' or 'feminine hygiene' may be a bit old-fashioned, but suppliers like Grace & Green and retailers like Boots and Aldi openly admit that their motivation to replace them with 'period products' isn't a desire to be more frank about women's biological reality – it's about denying that biological reality altogether. 'This type of nonsense is blatant pandering to trans activists, who demand that everyone else plays along with the farcical idea that men who imagine themselves to be female can have periods, and that women who imagine themselves to be male are 'men who menstruate'.' Supermarkets have changed policy A number of high street giants have changed their policy on the products in recent years. In 2022, Aldi followed Asda by replacing its 'feminine hygiene' signage with 'period products'. Richard Shuttleworth, Aldi's then diversity and inclusion director, said at the time: 'We are pleased to have renamed the category both in-store and online to better reflect how shoppers feel about period products.' Earlier the same year, Boots carried out the same rebrand. A spokesman for Grace and Green told The Telegraph they stand by the statement 'Not all women menstruate, and not all people who menstruate are women'. They continued: 'This is a simple recognition of biological and lived realities. Some women don't menstruate – for example due to menopause, contraception, pregnancy or medical conditions – and some people who are not women, including trans men, non-binary, and intersex individuals, do. 'Denying this erases entire communities and contributes to the marginalisation of people who already face significant barriers to healthcare, dignity, and access to essential products. 'Acknowledging this diversity is not about erasing women – it's about expanding understanding.'
Business Upturn
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Bunzl Helps Employers with Washroom Hygiene Legislation Compliance
Exclusive CleanWatch™ platform launched ahead of Ontario's Bill 190 July 1, 2025 Deadline . BURLINGTON, Ontario, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Ontario's Bill 190 introduces stricter washroom hygiene standards effective July 1st, Bunzl Canada, the exclusive distributor of WandaNEXT™, is proud to introduce CleanWatch™, a cost-effective, simplified version of the platform designed to help employers comply with the new rules while improving cleanliness, safety and employee experience. Introduced in Ontario in 2024, Bill 190, also known as the Working for Workers Five Act , is a new law that makes changes to various employment-related statutes, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Under the new legislation, the first phase of which comes into effect July 1, 2025, constructors and employers are obligated to ensure that washroom facilities provided for workers are kept in a clean and sanitary state and maintain cleaning records. In phase two, which comes into effect January 1, 2026, washroom cleaning records must also be made easily accessible to workers. The CleanWatch™ Solution CleanWatch™ is a cutting-edge addition to WandaNEXT™ digital cleaning management software, which transitions facilities from traditional, reactive cleaning methods to a proactive, data-driven approach. The new, simplified CleanWatch™ application enables employers to easily record washroom cleaning activities and make the information conveniently accessible via QR code, so that compliance with Bill 190 legislation is both straightforward and cost effective. Compliance Made Easy CleanWatch™ simplifies adherence to the legislative requirements by providing real-time monitoring and detailed reporting on washroom cleaning, ensuring that employers can quickly and easily meet the new standards. 'As the July 1st implementation deadline for Bill 190 approaches, Bunzl is here to support Ontario businesses in achieving seamless compliance with minimal disruption,' said Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene's Sr. Vice President, Brock Tully. 'By adopting this innovative solution, employers can not only meet the new legislative requirements but also exceed them, setting a new standard for workplace hygiene and employee safety.' As the exclusive distributor of WandaNEXT™, Bunzl is committed to providing innovative solutions to enhance facility cleaning efficiency and effectiveness. WandaNEXT™ is trusted for its in-depth analytics, helping optimize resource allocation, improve cleaning protocols, and foster a positive user experience. To enable its customers to achieve compliance ahead of the legislation's effective date, Bunzl is offering the new CleanWatch™ product on a complimentary basis from June-December 2025. For more information about CleanWatch™ or to schedule a demo, please visit: About Bunzl Canada Bunzl Canada Inc. ( provides the cleaning and hygiene products and equipment, food and retail packaging, safety products and industrial supplies which keep over 45,000 Canadian businesses running optimally, every day. The company brings its customers the advantage of global sourcing, product innovation and national scale combined with responsive local service and deep category expertise. Bunzl Canada Inc. is an operating company of Bunzl plc (BNZL.L), a FTSE100 company listed on the London Stock Exchange in the Support Services sector. Media Inquiries Margo HunnisettVice President, Marketing & CommunicationsBunzl Canada Inc. [email protected] (905) 630-3749
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 UK Dividend Stocks To Enhance Your Portfolio
The United Kingdom's FTSE 100 index has recently experienced downward pressure, influenced by weak trade data from China and global economic uncertainties. In such a volatile market environment, dividend stocks can offer investors a measure of stability and income, making them an attractive option for those looking to enhance their portfolios with reliable returns amidst fluctuating indices. Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating WPP (LSE:WPP) 6.65% ★★★★★★ Man Group (LSE:EMG) 7.39% ★★★★★☆ Keller Group (LSE:KLR) 3.16% ★★★★★☆ 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR) 5.06% ★★★★★☆ Dunelm Group (LSE:DNLM) 6.67% ★★★★★☆ Treatt (LSE:TET) 3.19% ★★★★★☆ NWF Group (AIM:NWF) 5.06% ★★★★★☆ James Latham (AIM:LTHM) 7.14% ★★★★★☆ OSB Group (LSE:OSB) 6.98% ★★★★★☆ Grafton Group (LSE:GFTU) 3.69% ★★★★★☆ Click here to see the full list of 57 stocks from our Top UK Dividend Stocks screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Bunzl plc is a distribution and services company operating in North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally with a market cap of £7.87 billion. Operations: Bunzl plc generates revenue of £11.78 billion from its Packaging & Containers segment. Dividend Yield: 3.1% Bunzl's dividend payments have shown volatility over the past decade, with a recent increase of 8.2% in total dividends for 2024, marking its 32nd consecutive year of growth. Despite a low dividend yield compared to top UK payers, the payouts are well-covered by earnings and cash flows. However, Bunzl's high debt level and volatile share price may raise concerns about sustainability. The company expects moderate revenue growth in 2025 driven by acquisitions. Take a closer look at Bunzl's potential here in our dividend report. According our valuation report, there's an indication that Bunzl's share price might be on the cheaper side. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Man Group Limited is a publicly owned investment manager with a market cap of approximately £1.98 billion. Operations: Man Group Limited generates revenue of $1.43 billion from its Investment Management Business segment. Dividend Yield: 7.4% Man Group's dividend yield is among the top 25% in the UK market, supported by a payout ratio of 67% and a cash payout ratio of 32.3%, indicating sustainability. Despite past volatility, dividends have grown over the last decade. Recent earnings growth of 27.4% enhances its appeal, though potential acquisitions like Bardin Hill could impact future payouts. The stock trades at a significant discount to estimated fair value, offering good relative value for investors focused on dividends. Delve into the full analysis dividend report here for a deeper understanding of Man Group. Insights from our recent valuation report point to the potential undervaluation of Man Group shares in the market. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: 4imprint Group plc operates as a direct marketer of promotional products across North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, with a market cap of approximately £980.09 million. Operations: In its revenue segments, 4imprint Group plc generated $1.34 billion from North America and $25.20 million from the UK and Ireland. Dividend Yield: 5.1% 4imprint Group's dividend yield of 5.06% is stable and backed by a payout ratio of 57.7% and a cash payout ratio of 58.9%, ensuring sustainability. Dividends have grown consistently over the past decade, though they are slightly below the top tier in the UK market. Recent earnings growth supports its dividend capacity, with net income rising to US$117.2 million in 2024 from US$106.2 million in 2023, despite forecasted earnings decline ahead. Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of 4imprint Group. Our valuation report unveils the possibility 4imprint Group's shares may be trading at a discount. Reveal the 57 hidden gems among our Top UK Dividend Stocks screener with a single click here. Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks. Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe. Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include LSE:BNZL LSE:EMG and LSE:FOUR. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
