Inappropriate flushing of menstrual sanitary products

HAWKINS, Anna, SHARPE, Rebecca, SPENCE, Kevin and HOLMES, Naomi (2018). Inappropriate flushing of menstrual sanitary products. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Water Management.

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Abstract

This paper explores the disposal strategies of menstrual sanitary products through in-depth semi-structured interviews of women aged 18-30 years. There have been many educational campaigns to encourage solid stream waste disposal, however inappropriate disposal and blockages are still a major problem for the water industry. Whilst there have been quantitative studies exploring self-reporting of flushing norms, there is evidence to suggest these results may not take into account the complex set of socio-cultural factors associated with menstrual product disposal. Bridging this gap, our interviews found that although all participants had a desire to responsibly dispose, their ability to utilise solid waste streams or to minimise waste by using reusable products was not always possible because they felt, to some degree, restricted by the wider societal requirements for discretion and the design, accessibility and availability of bins and bathroom facilities. Based on these findings Industry recommendations are suggested.

Item Type: Article
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities > Department of Natural and Build Environment
Depositing User: Anna Hawkins
Date Deposited: 10 Oct 2018 09:19
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 07:02
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18941

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