Eco-friendly management of sanitary waste

The carbon footprints of feminine hygiene products is a crucial challenge humankind faces today. It impacts the environment and our lives in a big way. These products contain tremendous amount of non-biodegradable material that get dumped in landfill. They release harmful gasses as well. If we are seriously committed to living an eco-friendly life, we need to think and act on eco-friendly management of sanitary waste.

There are natural fibres in nature that can be used in the manufacturing of sanitary napkins that can replace synthetic fibres harming the environment. When the sanitary pads are made from synthetic fibres it leads to solid waste, blocked sewage, release of toxic gases; all contributing to environmental pollution.

Used pads take a long time to degrade and they are a threat to the ecosystem. Isn’t it obvious for the blood that gets absorbed in the pad and the material used. Eco-friendly management of sanitary waste is the need of the hour.

The magnanimity of the challenge:

336 million menstruating women/ girls use 1 billion sanitary napkins per month as per Menstrual Hygiene Alliance India (MHAI).
Sanitary pads use material like dioxins, artificial fragrances, cellulosic chlorine, etc. This harms mother earth and harm women’s health. It can lead to cervical cancer and skin irritation. Sustainable material needs to be used and menstrual products should be discarded in an eco-friendly manner.

Eco-friendly management of sanitary waste – Solutions for reducing the harm on environment:

Shifting from conventional synthetic fibres to organic alternatives can significantly reduce the harm on environment. Materials like banana and bamboo fibre, organic cotton and plant-based fabrics reduce waste.
Also, reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups, period underwear, cloth pads reduce waste. These products save cost and improve menstrual health. They are also a great alternative to disposable pads.
Sanitary pads can be recycled and the resulting byproducts can be used further.

An example of eco-friendly management of sanitary waste

The government has launched Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 and Karad in Maharashtra is setting a benchmark in eco-friendly management of sanitary waste.

The initiative taken in the city has prevented health risks, and environmental harm. The city is now cleaner and safer.

Sanitary waste management is a big challenge in India due to harmful disposal of sanitary waste that leads to environmental and health issues. But Karad in Satara is now a role model in eco-friendly management of sanitary waste.

In the city there is 100% segregation of waste. Sanitary waste is collected and processed in an appropriate manner. Thus, setting a benchmark in sustainable waste management. Sanitary waste is disposed of in a proper manner thus, preventing health and environmental risks.

The city collects sanitary waste of around 300 to 350 kg daily from hospitals, houses, clinics and other places.

The main function of the government is to get away with the taboo about sanitary waste. So, the administration raised awareness and educated people of the city about importance of eco-friendly management of sanitary waste and the risk of improper disposal.

Innovative initiatives were implemented like educating residents through workshops, community outreach programs and announcement in public.

Karad Municipal Council (KMC) teamed up with women in the city, and formed women’s groups. These groups played a critical role in spreading awareness about eco-friendly sanitary waste disposal and eco-friendly management of sanitary waste, and its segregation in the respective areas.

Separate red bins were installed in public toilets thus, facilitating the disposal of sanitary waste.

Schools were asked to install sanitary pad vending machines and maintain a proper disposal system.

City’s information, education, communication team spread awareness about hygienic disposal practices, like wrapping the used sanitary products in paper and discarding them appropriately. This has led schools to install incinerators to ensure the processing of sanitary waste in a proper manner. The residue is then sent to biomedical waste treatment plant. Though incineration is not the best way to dispose of sanitary waste its at present the most implemented procedure.

All said and done, if every city and village aims to implement eco-friendly management of sanitary waste, the foremost step to be taken is spreading awareness among people.

Naree Care https://nareecare.com/Aboutus/ supplies sanitary pad vending machine, sanitary pad disposal bins, and has a weekly collection and authorized disposal system. The key strength of Naree Care Services is its structured waste management process: