MPCB suggests separate collection of sanitary waste

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has suggested to the centre that urban local bodies should make a provision for separate collection of sanitary napkins and send them to the biomedical waste disposal system. It made its suggestions to the Central Pollution Control Board after the central body sought suggestions from state pollution control boards on ways to dispose waste from biomedical and absorbent hygienic products.

The MPCB has recently stated in its affidavit to the National Green Tribunal that the onus of disposal of sanitary napkins lies with manufacturers and brand companies. The bench was hearing the Environment Interest Litigation (EIL) regarding the matter that manufacturers are not providing disposal pouch with sanitary napkins.  In a hearing last December, the advocate for the petitioner had maintained that around 40,000 crore sanitary napkins are generated as waste in the country every year.

The MPCB affidavit mentioned, “As per Rule 17 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, it is their (manufactures and brand owners) duty to explore the possibility of using all recyclable materials in their products or to provide a pouch or wrapper for disposal of each napkin and diaper along with the packet of their sanitary products. We have instructed local municipal bodies to create awareness.”