How to Dispose Sanitary Pads: 7 Methods for Sanitary Pad Disposal

We’ve all been taught to be nicer to the environment, but improper disposal of sanitary pads can be harmful to both the world and the organisms who inhabit it. Menstrual hygiene includes not only the use of sanitary pads, but also their proper and sanitary disposal. This is the theme of today’s blog: how to properly dispose of sanitary pads, and why it is so important.

About Menstrual Waste

Maintaining adequate menstrual hygiene requires effective waste management, which includes the disposal of soiled sanitary pads and other hygiene supplies. In addition to the personal benefits, appropriate sanitary pad disposal procedures have a substantial environmental impact.

Negative Environmental Effects

Improper disposal of menstrual waste, especially sanitary pads, can have serious environmental repercussions. The materials used, such as plastics and non-biodegradable components, pose a significant harm to ecosystems and can collect in landfills. The slow degradation of plastic releases dangerous chemicals into the land and water, emphasizing the importance of understanding how to dispose of sanitary pads properly.

Beyond plastic pollution, the organic substance in menstrual waste might contribute to the emission of greenhouse gasses during landfill decomposition, exacerbating existing environmental concerns. The visual impact of poorly deposited menstrual material in public places contributes to environmental degradation, emphasizing the importance of safe disposal procedures.

Why is it important to properly dispose of sanitary pads?

Handling a soiled sanitary pad might be messy, but it doesn’t have to be if done correctly. On an individual level, your pad’s odor can attract irritating flies, but exposed menstrual blood can also serve as a breeding ground for a variety of horrible microorganisms. If you have a nosy pet or a curious toddler at home, you do not want them rummaging about in the garbage and removing the pads. Even though menstruation is a natural process that everyone is trained to accept, no one likes to open their or someone else’s trashcan (we’re talking sanitation personnel) and be confronted with menstrual blood. However, it is not only an issue of personal comfort and convenience.

The only method to safely dispose of sanitary pads is to incinerate them or expose them to high temperatures to eliminate the germs and pathogens that live on the pad. Now, you wouldn’t microwave your pad, right? To top it all off, folks dispose of their open pads alongside their domestic rubbish. This should be considered a deadly sin. Now, consider the work required to manually separate these pads from other debris for proper disposal. So, what is the next move?

What is the best way to dispose of sanitary pads? For starters, we can wrap the pads in newspaper to make things easy for everyone. When sanitary pads are not properly disposed of, sanitation workers and waste pickers are exposed to potentially hazardous microorganisms that can cause illness and disease. By taking the simple step of wrapping them up, we can make things safer and easier for everyone concerned. You’re disposing of your sanitary pad incorrectly!
Sanitary Waste Disposal Methods:

Here’s how to properly dispose of your sanitary pads:

1.Roll the pad into itself.

When you are ready to change your sanitary pad, carefully pull it from your panty. Start at one end and roll the pad securely and neatly all the way to the other. Make sure the bloody side is inside and the adhesive is on the outside.

2.Wrap the pad in paper.

Before disposing of the rolled sanitary pad, wrap it tightly in newspaper or toilet paper. This not only avoids stink, bacteria, and flies, but also safeguards waste pickers who may come into contact with it in the future.

3.Keep a separate biohazard bin.

Most households have separate bins for wet and dry waste, but sanitary pads belong in neither. Sanitary pads, like medical waste, are categorized as biohazards due to their potential for infection. So, keep a separate bin for sanitary pads and other biohazardous waste. Choose a bin with a cover to keep nosy children and pets from touching the rubbish.

4.Wash your hands.

When you’re finished, clean your hands with soap and water. This is simple and not described further.

5.Do not flush sanitary pads.

I mean, isn’t it a common rule that sanitary pads should not be dumped down the toilet because they can clog the drain? Before that, isn’t it basic sense!? Do not flush sanitary pads down the toilet, children. Unless you want your house to be flooded with waste due to a drain clog.

Dispose of sanitary pads in various settings.

Now that we’ve covered how to properly dispose of sanitary pads, let’s look at how to dispose of them in various conditions.

Disposal of sanitary pads while outside

Disposing of sanitary pads at a friend’s house or outside is the same as disposing of sanitary pads in the home. Wrap it securely and throw it away; opening your bin and finding someone’s menstrual blood is never a nice sight.

The disposal of sanitary pads in a village.

Wondering how to dispose of sanitary pads in a village? Find out if your community has a sanitary pad disposal system. If not, a common practice in communities is to place used pads in a clay pot, seal it shut, and bury it in the soil away from water sources. Read this The Week article to find out how a 19-year-old girl and her rural friends incinerate pads re a handmade incinerator.

Sanitary pad disposal on the final day of the period

If you realize at the end of the last day that you did not bleed and that the sanitary pad was unnecessary, DO NOT use it like a dirty paper plate; you are not feeding the crows here. Wrap it and trash it separately, like you normally do. This blog was created to assist you in becoming a more informed consumer of period hygiene products. Because you have some control over how you wish