The BMC faced flak from corporators and activists for not making arrangements for disposal system.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators at community toilets to dispose them off. Earlier, the BMC had provided sanitary vending machine in schools for girls studying between Class 6 and Class 10. The BMC faced flak from corporators and activists for not making arrangements for disposal system. Activists claim that mere burning of napkins is harmful to the environment.
"Most napkins have plastic covering and harmful gases get released during burning. There is a petition filed in the National Green Tribune regarding this issue," said Supriya Sonar, an activist of Right to Pee.
The civic body has constructed 652 community toilets across the city, of which 235 toilets will soon boast sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators. The cost of for the machine, sanitary napkins and maintenance is approximately Rs 3.28 crore. Earlier, the BMC had approved proposal to provide sanitary pad vending machines in the BMC schools. As per the plan, around 47,084 adolescent girls studying in civic schools would get eight sanitary napkins every month. The plan cost was Rs 9 crore for three years but they were no mention of incinerators and corporators.
A BMC officer said that women don't have the facility to dispose of sanitary napkins. "Often, napkins are dumped in garbage and toilets. This can choke up toilets and spread diseases. Hence, BMC decided to install incinerators," said the BMC officer. There are proper guidelines for manufacture and disposal of sanitary napkins.
HYGIENE MATTERS
- BMC plans to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators in 235 community toilets across city.
- Cost of the machine, sanitary napkins and maintenance is around Rs 3.28 crore
-
- Around 47,084 girls studying in BMC schools will get 8 sanitary napkins every month
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sanitary Napkins")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}