Sanitary Bin FAQs Answered
It can sometimes be awkward to ask questions about how to dispose of tampons and sanitary pads. That’s why, in this guide, we have answered frequently asked questions about sanitary waste bins, so you don’t have to ask them! Split into personal and business questions, here are the most commonly asked questions about sanitary waste bins, from “How do you dispose of tampons?” to “How often should sanitary waste bins be emptied?”
- Personal Sanitary Waste Bin FAQs
- Sanitary Waste Bins FAQs for Businesses
- Elevate Your Sanitary Waste Bins with Woosh
Personal Sanitary Waste Bin FAQs
What is sanitary waste?
Sanitary waste is more than just feminine hygiene. It is a broad category encompassing feminine and personal hygiene products, such as wet wipes and incontinence products like nappies. For the purpose of this guide, we will be answering sanitary waste questions about feminine hygiene.
How to dispose of sanitary pads in the UK in public?
Public washrooms should have sanitary waste bins in each toilet cubical for the disposal of sanitary products. Sanitary pads are easier to dispose of as they already come in packaging that can be easily used to wrap the used sanitary pad in for simple disposal. Once wrapped, the pad should be thrown into a sanitary waste bin, not a normal bin. This is to ensure sanitary waste is disposed of correctly, and any odours are contained.
How do you dispose of tampons in public restrooms?
Tampons are harder to dispose of as they come in packaging that cannot be used for disposal. Instead, you should wrap your tampon in toilet paper. This will be sufficient to contain any leaks and odours. You can then throw it in the sanitary waste bin for proper disposal.
How to dispose of pads/tampons when there is no bin in a public washroom?
All public restrooms should contain a sanitary waste bin. If, for some reason, there is no sanitary bin in a washroom, you can inform management or the local council if it is a public area to supply one. But what do you do if you are already in the restroom and there is no sanitary bin?
Do not flush it! You should never flush sanitary products as this can cause blocked pipes and harm the environment. Instead, your only option is to package your sanitary waste and carry it with you until you can find an appropriate place to dispose of it, preferably a sanitary waste bin.
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How to properly dispose of sanitary pads at home?
The process of disposing of a sanitary pad at home is the same as in a public restroom. Simply wrap your sanitary pad in its packaging and throw it in a bathroom bin with a lid. A closed bin will contain any odours. You could also wrap your sanitary pad in an extra layer of toilet paper if you wish to minimise the risk of leaks. You should empty your bathroom bins every few days to reduce any odours and to ensure they don’t become too full.
How to dispose of tampons at home?
You should never flush a tampon down any toilet, whether at home or in public. This can cause plumbing issues in your home that can be expensive to fix. Instead, you should wrap your tampon in toilet paper to prevent leaking and trap odours. Then simply pop it in the bathroom bin and remember to empty your bin in the next few days.
Am I exposed to any diseases from sanitary waste?
It is very uncommon for you to catch any diseases from sanitary waste in a public restroom. Some factors can increase your risk of coming into contact with a bloodborne disease, such as incorrect disposal of sanitary products and washrooms not being regularly cleaned. However, the chance of you contracting a disease is still minimal.
Sanitary Waste Bins FAQs for Businesses
What are sanitary bins used for?
Sanitary bins are used to dispose of sanitary waste and feminine hygiene products. A sanitary waste bin offers a more discrete method of disposal whilst also taking into account reducing odours and preventing leaks.
Public washrooms should ensure they have sanitary bins in all their female or gender-neutral toilets as it can promote the correct disposal of sanitary waste. This reduces the risk of people flushing sanitary waste down the toilet, which can cause blockages and damage to your property.
Is it a legal requirement to have sanitary waste bins in a public washroom?
There are legal requirements that state businesses must provide a suitable means of disposing of sanitary products. Some regulations include:
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992: This regulation states you must provide a suitable means of disposing of sanitary waste in each women’s washroom.
- Water Industries Act 1991: Here, it states you should not flush items that can cause blockages in the sewage system.
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990: Specifically, the Duty of Care Act states you must provide a means of disposing and storing sanitary waste as it is a basic right.
Is the Waste Duty of Care Act 1990 the same as a Waste Transfer Note?
The Waste Duty of Care Act is the legal requirement for a business to safely store, transport, and dispose of sanitary waste. However, a Waste Transfer Note is the actual receipts that prove you have complied with these regulations.
What are Waste Transfer Notes?
Waste Transfer Notes are provided by the licenced waste disposal facility that states you have transferred waste to a waste facility to be properly disposed of. You must keep your Waste Transfer Notes to prove you have complied with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by disposing of sanitary waste without harming the environment. You should keep a copy of each Waste Transfer Note for at least two years to show the local council or environmental regulator should they complete an audit on your business.
How do sanitary waste bins work?
There are a few different styles of sanitary waste bins. For example, an automatic sanitary waste bin utilise a sensor to open the sanitary bin lid without having to touch the bin physically. This style of sanitary bin offers a more hygienic option as there is no need to touch the bin.
Traditional sanitary bins include a pedal sanitary bin where users can tap a pedal with their foot to open the bin lid. This is also a hygienic option as, although there is contact with the bin, it is only through your foot, which is covered anyway!
How do you empty a sanitary bin?
It is important to dispose of sanitary waste properly, as being exposed to blood can increase your chances of coming into contact with bloodborne diseases. This is why you should hire a licensed professional company to handle your sanitary waste.
At Woosh, we collect your sanitary waste! All the sanitary waste we collect is incinerated for energy, meaning none of your waste goes into landfill. If you want a professional company to handle your sanitary waste, get in touch with our team today!
How often should sanitary waste bins be emptied?
You should ensure your sanitary waste bins are regularly emptied to maintain good hygiene in your washrooms and reduce the risk of odour. Don’t run the risk of an overflowing sanitary bin! Most sanitary waste bins have a maximum capacity of about 8 weeks, so you should have your sanitary bins emptied at least every 6 weeks. We recommend you dispose of any sanitary waste monthly, depending on how frequently your washrooms are used.
What happens to sanitary waste?
Sanitary waste is disposed of in two main ways. Some sanitary waste services take collected sanitary waste to landfills. Others take sanitary waste to be incinerated and converted into energy to provide sustainable energy for homes and businesses. At Woosh, we focus on the latter to ensure your waste doesn’t go to waste!
Elevate Your Sanitary Waste Bins with Woosh
There we have it, all those awkward sanitary products and sanitary waste questions answered! From “How do you dispose of tampons?” to “How do sanitary bins work?”, we have covered just about everything to do with sanitary waste bins.
If you have a business and would like to improve how your sanitary waste is stored and disposed of, we are here to help. At Woosh, we offer a range of sanitary waste bins, such as automatic sanitary bins, and a sanitary waste disposal service to ensure your sanitary waste is disposed of properly. Get in touch with us today to elevate the sanitary waste disposal of your business.
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