Flush Away the Stigma, Not the Sanitary Products: Why Sanitary Bins Should be a Priority

Over our 30 years in the washroom industry, we have heard many different reasons why some businesses think they don’t need sanitary units. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we’re exploring some of the most common questions we hear and showing why sanitary bins are a simple yet powerful way to support everyone in your business.

Menstrual Hygiene Day

Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on 28th May each year. It is an opportunity to bring attention to menstruation and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

The theme of Menstrual Hygiene Day is to aim for a Period-Friendly World. An important aspect of this is access to period-friendly toilets. Everyone should feel comfortable managing their period, whether it’s at the workplace, school, or out-and-about.

We want to spread the message about the importance of sanitary disposal. Most people who menstruate have experienced the discomfort and embarrassment of needing these facilities in a public place and being let down. We believe no one should have to feel uncomfortable managing their period in public.

If you’re on the fence about providing sanitary bins at your business, we hope that we can answer your questions and clear up some of the most common myths surrounding sanitary disposal.

1. Are sanitary disposal bins necessary for workplaces with few women / only older women?

If your employees are prodominately male, then a sanitary bin may not be at the front of your mind. But we believe it still should be.

Even if you only employ a small number of women, those women still need access to necessary facilities. Even if just one employee or visitor might require the service, it’s worth making sure they have access to the facilities they need. Whilst they may not want to voice it, the one woman at your company could be struggling in silence. Installing a sanitary bin could greatly improve her experience at work. Supplying these facilities, even if it is for the few rather than the many, shows professionalism and a caring workplace.

Consider any visitors to the premises too. Most companies receive a few visitors, and it is important to think about their needs as well.

In regards to age, everyone’s bodies are different so we can’t make any assumptions based on age. A lot of women (especially those who have had children) may need disposal for products such as panty liners.

2. Can’t women manage it themselves?

The reality of managing menstruation isn’t always this simple. Studies show that more than half of women have encountered menstruation-related issues in the workplace.

Imagine having to carry around a used product with you for the rest of the day. Not only is it unhygienic, but it can also cause significant embarrassment. It is fair to say that most people would probably find this rather uncomfortable. However, that’s the reality for some women who don’t have access to the necessary facilities.

Guidance shows that menstrual products should be changed regularly, according to the instructions. On average, pads and tampons should be changed every 4 to 6 hours, depending on the individual. If a person doesn’t feel comfortable with the disposal facilities provided, they may wear them for a prolonged period of time, leading to health and hygiene issues.

3. Do small businesses with few visitors still need sanitary bins?

No matter the size of your business, all businesses have toilet facilities. Hygiene facilities are an essential for everyone.

It only takes one person to use the bathroom for issues to become apparent. If even one item gets flushed down the toilet because of the lack of a sanitary bin, it could cause blockages in your plumbing.

The alternative is that people may leave used products in the cubicle. This leads to an unpleasant environment for both employees who use the facilities, and for the person tasked with cleaning them.

Infrequent use is not zero use. Periods can be unexpected and unpredictable. Providing this simple service could help someone in an unforeseen circumstance in the future.

4. Is it okay for our cleaner to take care of it / for us to manage it ourselves?

It is a good first step that you have recognised the need and are providing a form of disposal facilities. However, the next step is ensure that you are handling the waste properly and that it is being disposed of correctly.

Cathedral Hygiene is a licenced waste carrier, and we only dispose of waste at sites where we have received copies of their permits and reviewed them to make sure that they take the appropriate codes for the waste. With our expertise, you can ensure that the waste is being collected and disposed of in compliance with guidance and regulations.

There are also additional risks associated with handling sanitary waste that are commonly overlooked, such as sharps injuries. In an ideal world, the only thing in a sanitary bin would be sanitary waste. However, we frequently encounter other types of waste which can include glass and even needles. There are increased risks with handling this type of waste, and we ensure our employees are in the best position to handle these situations by providing a vaccination programme, puncture-resistant gloves, training and more.

Using a licensed carrier, makes the job safer and simpler for everybody involved.

5. If no one has complained, is it really an issue?

A lack of complaints does not necessarily equal satisfaction. Research shows that 55% of women would not feel comfortable discussing menstruation in the workplace, so a lack of feedback could be reflected in this.

For employees, it could mean feeling uncomfortable at work, which can result in lower job satisfaction and reduced performance.

For customers, it could mean that are less likely to visit your business in the future. Perceptions of a business influence buying decisions. Some businesses spend a lot of time making sure that their front of house is professional and welcoming but neglect their washroom facilities. One study found that 52% of individuals would not return or think twice about returning to a business because of a negative bathroom experience. So, it is crucial not to neglect your washroom.

6. Do reusable period products, such as period pants or menstrual cups, eliminate the need for sanitary bins?

Whilst these products are a great eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products, it is important to remember that not everyone can use them or will want to use them.

Health conditions such as endometriosis or vaginismus can make it difficult for some individuals to use products such as menstrual cups. Not everyone will feel comfortable disclosing these issues. Providing sanitary disposal facilities is an accommodating way to ensure everybody has access to the facilities they need.

It’s also important to consider personal preference. Some people are simply not comfortable using these products. Pads and tampons are still very popular. Even if your team includes people who use reusable products, it’s important to remember that you may have a new employee or customer who does not – and that’s okay.

7. Is a regularly emptied normal bin as hygienic as a dedicated sanitary bin?

Specialist sanitary bins are the best solution for sanitation and hygiene. Our units contain a chemical liner to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. The liner is antibacterial and infused with fragrance to render the contents odourless. They are emptied on a routine 4-weekly basis.

Regular bins will not be sufficient at managing odour issues. Our bins are specifically designed to handle waste hygienically and discreetly, making them far more effective than regular bins at ensuring no unpleasant odours in your washroom.

8. Is this something that can be handled later?

We understand that priorities can vary, however, we believe that menstruation management should always be a priorty. A period-friendly world is one where menstruation doesn’t hold anyone back.

One study found that more than half of women have felt anxious about an upcoming period. This can negatively impact their lives, as it could cause them to miss school or work, or feel the need to stay home.

Providing period-friendly toilets in your business is essential to create an inclusive, welcoming environment.

9. What if we feel we can’t afford sanitary bins?

It is understandable to consider the price of a sanitary bin service, but the cost of not having a sanitary bin (both financially and environmentally) can quickly add up.

Without a sanitary bin, period products are likely to be flushed down toilets. This can lead to blockages in your plumbing. These blockages can be quite costly to repair. They also have environmental implications. Menstrual products make up 6.3% of sewage waste that is found along rivers and beaches, and it is estiamted that there are around 11,500 blockages every year.

10. But is there a legal requirement to have a sanitary bin?

In the UK, commercial waste is covered by two main regulations: Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 states that employers must provide “suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences”. The HSE guidance INDG293 states specifically that employers need to provide toilet and washing facilities for employees, including “a means of disposing of sanitary dressings”.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 33 prohibits the unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment, or disposal of waste. Section 34 establishes a duty of care for businesses and individuals handling waste. Sanitary waste must be handled properly and disposed of with the proper licences, permits, and paperwork.

11. I don’t want to talk about it – does it really need to be discussed?

This reason is why we believe that Menstrual Hygiene Day is so important – to reduce the stigma around menstruation.

Striving for a period-friendly world is only possible if menstruation is no longer stigmatised. As a business, you can support a period-friendly world by taking into account the needs of all your workers and supplying them with the essential facilities they need. 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate every month, so it should be something that we are comfortable talking about. We’re not saying it needs to be a part of every conversation, but we would encourage you to at least have a discussion about providing the essentials to manage menstruation.

Don’t allow discomfort to stand in the way of supporting people’s well-being – have the conversation today.

Change the Conversation Around Menstrual Hygiene Management

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we encourage you to reflect on the sanitary facilities that are provided in your workplace. If you do provide sanitary disposal units, are they meeting standards and exceeding expectations? If you don’t, ask yourself what might be holding you back.

Menstruation is a normal part of life for millions of people. Ensure you are creating a welcoming environment by offering the right facilities to everybody.

You could make a difference for someone. Spread the message today. Menstrual hygiene matters.

How Cathedral Hygiene Can Help

We are specialists in our field – the safe disposal of sanitary waste.

Our sanitary units offer a safe and hygienic way for workspaces to dispose of sanitary waste. Our friendly staff service them every 28 days, meaning your bathrooms will always remain clean and fresh.

Get in touch today to find the right solution to fit your business needs.