Introduction

Guidelines for sanitary waste management is crucial for maintaining public health, preventing environmental pollution, and promoting sustainable development.

Applicability

These rules shall apply to the following:

• Every urban local body
• Outgrowths in urban agglomerations
• Census towns as declared by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
• Villages with population more than 3000
• Notified areas including notified industrial townships
• Areas under the control of Indian Railways, airports, airbases, Ports and harbours, defence establishments, special economic zones, state and Central government organisations
• Places of pilgrims, religious and historical importance as may be notified by respective State government from time to time
• Every domestic, institutional, commercial and any other non-residential solid waste generator situated in the areas

Exemptions:

These guidelines do not apply to industrial waste, hazardous waste, hazardous chemicals, bio medical wastes, e-waste, lead acid batteries and radio-active waste, that are covered under separate rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Sanitary Waste Management Guidelines

Segregation	1. Separate sanitary waste from other waste streams. 2. Use color-coded bins: yellow for sanitary waste, green for biodegradable waste, and red for hazardous waste.
Collection and Storage	1. Designate specific areas for sanitary waste collection. 2. Use leak-proof containers with lids. 3. Store sanitary waste in a secure, inaccessible location.
Transportation	1. Use covered vehicles for transporting sanitary waste. 2. Ensure vehicles are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Treatment and Disposal	1. Send sanitary waste to authorized treatment facilities. 2. Use technologies like incineration, autoclaving, or landfilling.
Record Keeping	1. Maintain records of sanitary waste generation, collection, and disposal. 2. Submit annual reports to the concerned authorities.

 

Waste Management Options

The waste management options along with its specifications or pollution control norms are introduced in the guidelines for different types of waste.

Low-cost, locally made incinerators	Rural Girls School, Colleges, Institutions, Hostels etc.	Napkins and other wastes. Best suited for pads with high cellulose content, not those that have super absorbent polymers (SAP)
Electric incinerators	Girls toilets, community toilets, complexes, Malls, Society Complex etc.	Bulk amount of napkin wastes
High temperature incinerators for biomedical waste	Waste burnt at central/combi ned incinerator facility	Incinerate all types of pads (those with high cellulose content, high moisture content, and those with SAP) and all types of biomedical waste
Deep burial	Villages and small towns	compostable sanitary pads (e.g., made of natural fibres), not pads made of bleached cellulose, SAP, and plastic covering
Composting	Composting can be made in communities (both urban and rural), and schools, encouraging for community based and community led composting	Used paper, tissues, cloth based absorbents and even some sanitary napkins (if they made only of wood pulp and nonwoven cotton) Commercial disposable pads will not compost
Pit burning	Rural area, where there are no better options available	Plain cotton clothes of degradable sanitary material

 

Options Suggested for Disposal of Sanitary Waste through Different Stakeholders

Consumer Level	·        Wrap sanitary waste in provided pouches or newspaper and dispose of it with dry waste or in separate bins.
Producer Level	·        Provide wrapping pouches or self-wrapping straps. ·        Work with local agencies for segregated collection and disposal. ·        Create awareness about proper handling and disposal. ·        Explore recyclable materials in product design.
Private Agencies	·        Dispose of segregated sanitary waste through authorized incinerators or CBMWTFs. ·        Compost cotton-based sanitary waste. ·        Landfill or utilize in waste-to-energy or co-processing
SPCBs and PCCs	·        Allow sale and operation of mini and modular incinerators. ·        Ensure compliance with emission standards. ·        Coordinate with different ministries and departments.
ULBs/Local Level	·        Send segregated sanitary waste to incinerators or waste-to-energy plants. ·        Install standalone incinerators. ·        Create awareness about negative consequences of poor waste management. ·        Develop waste management systems and facilitate access to sanitation. ·        Involve women in designing sanitation and waste management structures. ·        Support environmentally friendly menstrual waste management products.
Village/Panchayat Level	·        Dispose of home-made sanitary napkins in burial pits or pit latrines. ·        Use low-cost incinerators for commercial sanitary napkins.

 

 Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the SBM-G Guidelines, 2017

The Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) Guidelines, 2017, also address the issue of menstrual hygiene management (MHM). These guidelines emphasize the importance of providing adequate sanitation facilities, including safe and hygienic menstrual hygiene management practices, in rural areas. The key provisions include ensuring safe and private women’s toilets with adequate water and space, disposal bins, and incinerators in community toilets.

The guidelines also promote awareness campaigns, counselling sessions, and provision of MHM facilities in schools. Additionally, they encourage the involvement of CSOs and SHGs in promoting safe menstrual hygiene practices and economic models for low-cost sanitary napkins.

Conclusion

Effective sanitary waste management is critical for a healthy environment and compliant businesses. Understanding the guidelines, applicability, exemptions, and legal compliance requirements outlined in the SWM Rules, 2016, is essential. By adopting proper practices and collaborating with stakeholders, we can mitigate the risks associated with sanitary waste.

Disclaimer:  This is an effort by Lexcomply.com, to contribute towards improving compliance management regime. User is advised not to construe this service as legal opinion and is advisable to take a view of subject experts.