The Aakhya Weekly #149 | Pads, Plastics, and Policy
In Focus: No Pad Left Behind- The Real Cost of Monthly Convenience
India generates an estimated 12.3 billion disposable sanitary pads annually, translating into a staggering 113,000 tonnes of menstrual waste every year—or approximately 377 tonnes per day, with around 64% of women using sanitary napkins. Each pad contains approximately 2 grams of non-biodegradable plastic, equivalent to four plastic bags.
Regulatory Push
As the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) intensifies its Clean City initiative, the spotlight is shifting toward an often-overlooked yet deeply consequential aspect of municipal waste, the disposal of sanitary pads. This redirection signals a growing recognition of menstrual waste not just as a public health issue, but as a pressing environmental crisis. To complement this effort, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) is ramping up regulatory pressure on manufacturers, setting aggressive recycling targets of up to 60% by 2026 for sanitary waste.
On paper, the mandate is bold and necessary. But in practice, it exposes the glaring gaps in India's waste management ecosystem, which is simply not equipped to handle such volumes, particularly without segregated waste collection systems, adequate recycling units, and specialised treatment facilities. However, this ambitious drive is placing the burden squarely on the shoulders of large corporate manufacturers, while Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are largely escaping scrutiny. This selective enforcement is creating a skewed market where compliance is costly and uneven.
Only a handful of companies have come forward to implement meaningful take-back programs. Moreover, India’s Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 state that items contaminated with blood and body fluids, including sanitary pads, are biomedical waste and should be incinerated, autoclaved, or microwaved to destroy pathogens. Meanwhile, soiled napkins and other types of sanitary waste are considered household waste under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016. Such waste needs to be disposed of after being segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. This regulatory ambiguity hinders proper segregation.
Lifesaver With a Long-Term Cost
Menstrual health products have been a boon for India, saving millions of women from infections as well as from the burden of washing and drying menstrual cloths or resorting to leaves. Yet, the ecological trade-off is steep. Commonly available sanitary pads in the market are primarily made of plastic or plastic derivatives. The absorbent core is composed of wood pulp; the ‘absorbing gel’ consists of super absorbent polymers; the ‘wings’ contain non-biodegradable adhesives to keep them in place; and additional materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene are also used.
Most of these components—particularly the plastics and superabsorbents—are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for 500 to 800 years if not treated or disposed of properly. A single pad, used for just a few hours, can remain in landfills for generations. Understandably, this has become a pressing issue in waste management and environmental policy. Moreover, most municipal corporations lack the resources or technology to handle this specific type of waste, which often ends up being burned in open pits or incinerated under substandard conditions.
The Dangers of Incineration
Incineration, often touted as a convenient solution in institutional settings such as schools and public toilets, is far from safe. Most incinerators usually operate below 800°C—insufficient to fully combust plastic components, leading to the release of dioxins and furans, both classified as carcinogens by the World Health Organisation. As the WHO highlights in a 2024 bulletin, improper incineration of biomedical waste (including menstrual waste) is linked to respiratory illnesses, endocrine disruption, and reproductive health disorders. Moreover, most municipal incinerators lack emission control systems or ash filtration infrastructure, allowing toxic microplastics to escape into the atmosphere and the surrounding ecosystem. The ash residue from partially combusted pads eventually makes its way into water bodies or agricultural land, completing a vicious cycle of contamination.
Innovations Offer a Glimmer of Hope
Amidst the grim statistics, a few innovative solutions are beginning to emerge. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to use plasma technology to dispose of used sanitary pads, baby pads, and other similar waste generated from households. In this technology, the incinerated waste is not classified as hazardous and can even be repurposed for brick-making. The burning of used sanitary pads using this method is designed to avoid secondary pollution, offering a cleaner and more sustainable approach to handling menstrual waste.
In line with such use cases, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad has developed the "Wealth Out of Waste" (WOW) technology. By converting banana pseudostems into compostable sanitary pads, CSIR is showcasing the potential of circular economy solutions in the menstrual hygiene sector. This technology not only helps reduce agricultural waste but also produces biodegradable menstrual products that break down naturally, mitigating long-term environmental harm. However, while these innovations offer promising alternatives, they still fail to address the most critical issue: the lack of a dedicated system for segregating sanitary waste at the source. Until this fundamental gap is resolved, even the most advanced disposal and recycling technologies will remain limited in their effectiveness and unable to deliver systemic change.
Go Green in Red
When it comes to solutions to this problem, there are no simple answers. A multi-pronged strategy is required, aided by efforts from a variety of stakeholders to fight the key challenge of Segregation.
Educate to Segregate: Public awareness campaigns are essential in educating citizens on the proper disposal of sanitary napkins using marked, colour-coded bins. At the same time, waste pickers must be educated about sanitary segregation, safe handling practices and financial incentives to encourage their active participation. Dedicated menstrual waste bins should be installed and integrated with municipal waste logistics.
Empower Waste Pickers: Waste pickers handle close to 90% of India’s recycling economy. Given the scale, government programs should train and provide them with the necessary equipment for safe menstrual waste collection. Smart, sealed pathogenic lock containers that prevent contamination should be installed across urban centres, with scheduled municipal pickups to ensure safety in processing practices.
Enforce Producer Responsibility: All manufacturers, regardless of size, should be required to collaborate with their respective Municipal Corporations and Recycling companies to deploy menstrual waste bins and take responsibility for collection. Extended Producer Responsibility must be expanded and enforced across the sector.
Incentivise Sustainable Alternatives: Tax incentives and subsidies could be offered to brands making biodegradable or reusable menstrual products. The promotion of menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period panties should be integrated into health missions of state and central governments, such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). E-commerce platforms can be incentivised to highlight eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products.
Inter Ministries Responsibilities: A dedicated menstrual waste management task force under NITI Aayog could harmonise the efforts of the MOHUA, MOEFCC, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These bodies must coordinate on funding infrastructure, educating consumers, and supporting R&D for sustainable alternatives with the participation of Private companies.
Advertisement Regulation for Disposal Awareness: Ad campaigns by Producers & manufacturers should be mandated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to include clear visual instructions on disposal. These must align with Urban Local Body (ULB)-approved waste collection practices and colour codes.
The Final Step is the First Step
Addressing menstrual waste in India goes far beyond improving disposal methods; it requires a complete rethinking of how we produce, consume, and manage these products. At an individual level, segregating one’s sanitary waste is the most critical and immediate action one can take. The challenge is as much behavioural as it is infrastructural, as cultural as it is technical. Segregation remains the gateway reform; without it, all downstream innovations and investments fail to yield returns.
To make this happen, however, we need improvements in cultural sensitivity, public engagement, and private sector accountability. It is time we treat menstrual waste management not as a fringe issue of hygiene or women's health, but as a mainstream concern of urban sustainability and environmental development. If nothing else, one can opt for the free bleeding method, where menstruating persons choose not to use any kind of menstrual product at all. It is a conscious choice for some, a form of protest to normalise periods and break societal stigma; for others, it’s a necessity driven by financial constraints. While the idea may seem radical, it indicates the various unresolved issues that persist. Whether it is accessibility to basic hygiene, accountability, or recognising and stopping bad practices, the challenge lies in reforming ineffective regulation and ensuring a functional ecosystem that takes second- and third-order effects into account to achieve better outcomes. The path forward lies in collaboration, innovation, and above all, education.
Top Stories of the Week
Foreign Secretary Leads High-Level Talks on India-U.S. Strategic Partnership
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is on an official visit to Washington, D.C., to engage with senior U.S. officials on advancing the India-U.S. COMPACT for the 21st Century—Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology. The COMPACT was signed by the two countries’ Heads of State during PM Modi’s state visit to the U.S. this February. During his visit, he met Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. They also discussed the early convening of the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue to deepen tech and trade collaboration.
At the inter-agency discussions with Deputy NSA Andy Baker and Counsellor Michael Needham, he was joined by Deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor. Talks at the White House focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, expanding defence and energy cooperation, and strengthening multilateral groupings like the QUAD, IMEC, and I2U2. Additionally, he also held discussions with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, covering the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda. Both sides emphasised that Tech, Trade, and Talent will be central to the India-U.S. partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the leadership’s vision for a comprehensive global strategic partnership.
Maharashtra Unveils Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 to Boost EV Adoption and Infrastructure
The Government of Maharashtra has launched its Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, aiming to make the state India’s top electric mobility hub by 2030. The policy hopes to achieve 30% EV adoption across all vehicle categories, including 40% of two-wheelers and passenger three-wheelers, 30% of four-wheelers, and 40% of state-run urban buses. It aims to cut 325 tonnes of particulate matter and one million tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2030.
To boost adoption, the policy offers subsidies up to ₹10,000 for two-wheelers, ₹30,000 for three-wheelers, ₹2 lakh for commercial four-wheelers, and ₹20 lakh for buses and heavy goods vehicles. All EVs enjoy full road tax and registration fee waivers. To address range anxiety, fast chargers must be installed every 25 km on highways and at fuel and bus stations, with subsidies for installation costs. Passenger EVs get 100% toll exemptions on select highways, with further toll waivers planned.
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