Tackling Menstrual Waste Crisis: Urgent Need for Sustainable Solutions | PWOnlyIAS 2023

Context:

• The sanitary pads, with their plastic content, don’t biodegrade naturally, resulting in a staggering 1,13,000 tons of Menstrual Waste annually.

More about the news: 

• Availability: Primary issue contributing to this Menstrual Waste problem is the limited availability of incinerators.
• Maintenance of Menstrual Waste: Even when incinerators are present, they lack proper maintenance and fail to efficiently handle the plastic in the pads, leading to health concerns due to emitted fumes.
• Faulty Disposal:  In rural India, improper disposal methods, such as discarding in local water bodies, burning, or flushing, persist despite their adverse environmental and health effects.

What is menstrual waste?

• Menstrual waste refers to blood, bodily tissues, and used menstrual absorbents, including cloth, disposable sanitary napkins and other materials used to capture or absorb blood during menstruation.

Addressing Menstrual Waste:

• Use of Technology to reduce Menstrual Waste: Experts recommend investments in technology to develop biodegradable products and establish effective waste management systems. 
  • Startups like PadCare Labs have creatively found ways to recycle used sanitary pads into plastic and wood pulp for various applications. 
  • Manufacturers are encouraged to support waste management systems.
• Draft Policy to tackel Menstrual Waste: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare needs to propose a draft policy emphasizing biodegradable products and the implementation of solid waste management rules. 
• Segregation: On an individual level, proper segregation of sanitary waste is crucial. 
  • Initiatives like Pune’s Red Dot campaign highlight the importance of collective action and awareness among waste pickers. 
• Eco-friendly and reusable alternatives : Cloth pads, menstrual cups, and period panties are available, though their adoption faces challenges.

News Source: Economic Times

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