Karad, a city in Maharashtra, has achieved 100% segregation and processing of sanitary and biomedical waste, as recognized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

About Karad Model of Sanitary Waste Management

• Dedicated Collection System: Sanitary waste, averaging 300–350 kg/day, is collected from homes, hospitals, and public spaces using red bins and special garbage vehicles.
• Community Engagement: Women-led groups drive awareness, while schools promote hygiene with sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators.
• Safe Disposal via CBWTF: Waste is incinerated at 1200°C in a monitored Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) run by Karad Hospital Association.
• Sustainable PPP Approach: The initiative operates under a Public-Private Partnership where the municipal council handles logistics and the hospital runs the incinerator at no cost to citizens.

What is Sanitary Waste Management?

• Sanitary waste management involves the systematic segregation, collection, transportation, and safe disposal of used hygiene products like sanitary pads, diapers, and tampons to prevent health and environmental hazards.
• It includes the use of designated bins, incineration, and awareness efforts by local bodies and communities to ensure proper handling, as guided by the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Challenges with Sanitary Waste

• Health and Environmental Risk: If not disposed of properly, it  poses significant risks to human health and the environment due to its biological contamination and non-biodegradable content.
• Lack of Awareness and Infrastructure: Improper user practices such as open disposal, flushing, and unwrapped discarding stem from limited awareness and insufficient disposal infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

Provisions for Sanitary Waste under SWM Rules, 2016

• Definition of Sanitary Waste (Rule 3(41)): Sanitary waste includes used diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and similar items.
• Segregation and Wrapping (Rule 4(b)): Users must wrap sanitary waste securely in provided pouches or suitable wrapping material and place it in dry or non-biodegradable waste bins.
• Responsibilities of Local Authorities (Rule 15(zg)): Local bodies must educate citizens about safe sanitary waste handling and ensure proper segregation and disposal at source.
• Role of Manufacturers (Rule 17): Brand owners must support waste systems financially, provide wrappers with products, use recyclable materials, and spread awareness about safe disposal.
  

Ways to Handle Sanitary Waste

• On-site Solutions: Low-cost or electric incinerators, deep burial, composting (for compostable pads), and pit burning are suitable for schools, rural, and semi-urban areas.
• Off-site Disposal: High-temperature incinerators at centralized biomedical waste facilities offer safe and efficient treatment for all types of sanitary and biomedical waste.
• Avoid Unsafe Practices: Throwing sanitary waste in open spaces, water bodies, or flushing in toilets should be strictly avoided to prevent environmental and health hazards.