The Problem

It’s bigger than you think

Now let’s talk about it…

Germs

  • “Sanitary” napkin disposal receptacles are the most contaminated spot in women’s restrooms.
  • Dangers of exposure to blood-borne pathogens are often overlooked.
  • Average public toilet—1000 microbial load
    Average exterior surface of “sanitary” napkin receptacle—2,644 microbial load
    Average interior surface of “sanitary” napkin receptacle—27,955 microbial load
  • Germs, bacteria, and illnesses are often spread from person to person via contact with unclean restroom fixtures.
  • OSHA guidelines require practices that protect employees from direct physical contact with discarded feminine care products.
  • Only sixty-seven percent of restroom patrons actually wash their hands after using the restroom.
  • The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention says touching a germ-laden object is the No. 1 source of spreading disease.

Environmental Monitoring Assessment

Odors

  • “Sanitary” napkin disposal units are usually emptied only once a day — harboring nasty odors.
  • Odor ranks as one of the most common complaints from restroom visitors and is associated with an unclean, unhealthy environment.

Eyesore

  • Unwrapped, discarded feminine care products in sanitary napkin disposal receptacles are repulsive to view.
  • Unsightly sanitary napkin disposal units ruin the aesthetics of even the finest restrooms.
  • The outside and inside of the receptacles are often streaked with blood and visibly dirty.

Costs

  • Clogged toilets from flushed tampons lead to unscheduled maintenance calls, costly repairs and time-consuming cleanups.
  • Septic, recreational vehicles, and marine sanitation systems are severely damaged by the flushing of tampons and other personal care products.
  • Restrooms may account for only 5% of total building space but fifty percent of service complaints.
  • Ninety percent of plumbing problems—and costly maintenance and repairs-are caused by the flushing of feminine care products, especially tampons down toilets.

Pollution

  • Sanitary napkins, tampons, plastic tampon applicators do not decompose in sewage treatment systems like other organic wastes.
  • Overflows from combined storm and sanitary sewer systems go into rivers, lakes and oceans.
  • Plastic debris, including plastic tampon applicators, are endangering US beaches and oceans.
  • Highly absorbent and stringy material such as tampons; prevents sewage from flowing through municipal sewer systems, causes blockages in sewer pipes, clogs sewage pumps and leads to backups as well as spills.