Flushed, burned or dumped: 95% rural girls in Punjab use pads, but disposal lags, reveals study

Chandigarh: Safe and sustainable disposal of menstrual waste remains a major challenge in rural Punjab despite the widespread use of sanitary pads, according to a study that highlights significant gaps in menstrual waste management infrastructure and awareness.Proper menstrual waste management is essential for protecting public health, ensuring occupational safety for sanitation workers and mitigating environmental degradation. It helps transform menstruation from a potential biological and environmental hazard into a sustainable and hygienic practice.Despite the rapid expansion of the sanitary product market, disposal systems continue to be severely neglected. The study noted that socio-cultural norms, product availability, personal preferences and levels of awareness significantly influence menstrual product choices and disposal practices.The study pointed out that menstrual waste management has long remained a neglected concern despite increasing policy attention to menstrual hygiene and awareness. It stated that persistent socio-cultural taboos and limited coordination among key stakeholders, including the Central Pollution Control Board, solid waste management authorities and other implementing agencies, have weakened the planning and implementation of effective disposal systems.The study, titled "Flushed, Burned, or Forgotten? The Climate Cost of Menstrual Waste in Rural Punjab" by Kavita Saharan of Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Patiala, and published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, found that while 95.3% of adolescent girls surveyed used sanitary napkins, safe disposal practices continue to lag behind.Data for the study was collected from adolescent girls in rural villages of Fazilka district through individual interviews. Govt schools were also visited to assess the availability and condition of menstrual hygiene facilities, including waste disposal systems.While only 4.7% of respondents reported using cloth as a menstrual absorbent, 76.7% said they dispose of menstrual absorbents after a single use. The study found that the most common disposal method, reported by 34.7% of respondents, was discarding used absorbents in designated village solid waste dumping areas, commonly known as Roohdi. Another 18% reported burning used absorbents, while 17% buried them. A further 14.7% disposed of absorbents in village ponds or water bodies, 12.7% flushed them down toilets, 2% washed and reused absorbents, and 1% reported other disposal methods. Some respondents also reported disposing of sanitary pads in open drainage pipes outside their homes, leading to blockages.The study also examined menstrual waste disposal facilities in schools. It found that 62.7% of respondents reported that their school had a functional incinerator. However, 7.3% said the incinerator was not working, 12.7% reported that it existed but had never been used, 3% said it remained locked, and 14.3% stated that their school had no incinerator at all. The findings suggest that while many schools have installed incinerators, challenges related to functionality, accessibility and usage continue to hinder effective menstrual waste management.The study further found that 61.7% of girls preferred changing sanitary absorbents in school toilets, while 38.3% preferred waiting until they returned home. According to the study, this could indicate discomfort with school sanitation facilities, inadequate toilet conditions or fears linked to social beliefs. Some respondents reported feeling uncomfortable because girls' toilets were located close to boys' toilets.The study concludes that while various menstrual health management schemes have improved access to sanitary products and helped reduce school absenteeism among adolescent girls, they have not adequately addressed deeper infrastructural and psychosocial barriers. It notes that increasing numbers of girls delay changing sanitary products until they return home, reflecting concerns about the adequacy, hygiene, safety and cultural acceptability of school sanitation facilities.With less than five-and-a-half years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, the study argues that menstrual health interventions continue to focus largely on product distribution and awareness campaigns, while menstrual waste management remains inadequately addressed despite its implications for environmental sustainability and public health.The study recommends a holistic approach to menstrual health and hygiene that includes inclusive education, improved infrastructure, policy coherence and efforts to challenge stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation. It emphasises that awareness programmes should extend beyond girls to include boys, parents and communities, while also promoting safe usage and environmentally sound disposal practices.The study further notes that merely installing incinerators is insufficient for effective menstrual waste management. It highlights the need for proper training, accessibility, regular maintenance and community sensitisation. The findings indicate that many school incinerators were poorly maintained, broken, rusted, unused or lacked awareness among students and staff regarding their operation.Among its recommendations, the study calls for expanded disposal infrastructure in public spaces such as community halls, bus stops and primary health centres, regular monitoring and maintenance of facilities, and culturally sensitive community engagement. It also advocates promoting sustainable menstrual products such as menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads and biodegradable alternatives through greater affordability, accessibility, education and community outreach.The study concludes that addressing menstrual waste management requires not only technical and environmental solutions but also a broader shift in societal attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual health.