Menstrual hygiene discussions often stop at access to sanitary products. But menstrual waste disposal remains a neglected public health issue.
Every menstruating person uses thousands of disposable products in a lifetime, generating large volumes of non-biodegradable waste. Improper disposal leads to blocked sewage systems, soil contamination, and occupational health risks for sanitation workers.
Schools, hostels, and public institutions often lack segregated bins and good disposal systems, forcing flushing or open burning both harmful to health and the environment.
From a public health perspective, menstrual waste is not a private issue.
It is a system-level sanitation, dignity, and worker safety concern that demands policy attention and sustainable disposal solutions.
MBH/AB
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Neglect in proper disposal of sanitary products is accumulating serious health complication for general public as microplastics and toxins from these products reach soil and water and pose serious threats to plants, animals and human beings.
We’ve normalized talking about products, but not about where they go after use. This silence is exactly why menstrual waste remains invisible in public health planning.
Need more strategy to settle this waste
This is such an important and often overlooked issue. Menstrual waste isn’t just a personal concern - when disposable products end up in drains, landfills, or are burned, it creates environmental hazards and public health risks for communities and sanitation workers alike. Proper disposal systems, awareness, and sustainable solutions need to be part of national sanitation planning, not an afterthought.