Menstrual Waste in India currently falls under the ambit of Solid Waste Management Rules, but in spite of guidelines being issued regarding the proper disposal mechanism, on-ground implementation of these rules is a far-fetched reality. These sanitary products continue to be disposed from homes and offices and due to lack of segregation, almost all of them end up in the landfills, contributing to the already mounting plastic pollution.

The issue related with menstrual waste has health implications as well. Most sanitary products are made up of an overwhelming amount of plastic and contain a concoction of various toxic chemicals which can cause major health problems among females who use them.

We at Toxics Link are attempting to understand and highlight the various aspects of this issue, through interactions with stakeholders, awareness sessions with young females and waste workers, and research activities to further ascertain the linkage of health & environmental concerns arising from this stream of waste. in order to start a conversation for a sustainable future in menstruation.