Period product disposal in India: the tipping point.

Abstract

The UN projects that India is now the world's most populous nation. However, with this rising population comes a significant need for safer period product disposal systems. Current practices include local incineration or burial of sanitary products, with harmful health and environmental impacts. This Viewpoint proposes a three-sphere model to develop long-term solutions for sanitary waste disposal in India, focussing on education, national organisation, and sustainability. Proposed solutions are developed and criticised with a consideration of why change has been limited thus far. A case study in Kerala is considered where all three spheres are incorporated with the help of a local non-governmental organisation, however, with limitations that could have been alleviated with national organisation. In effect, the Indian government must develop a centralised system for tackling sanitary waste disposal before a tipping point is reached.