Yes, your company must provide sanitary waste disposal as it is a legal requirement in the UK. This includes all women and gender neutral bathrooms, disabled bathrooms and public restrooms. Providing members of your staff and customers who menstruate with a discreet and hygienic place to dispose of sanitary waste is not only crucial to maintaining a clean and pleasant washroom environment, but ensures you remain compliant.
What is the key legislation in the UK that makes providing sanitary bins a legal requirement in workplace?
There are 3 key pieces of legislation you need to be aware of in the UK:
1. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Compliance with these regulations is essential for employers to create a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This includes private and accessible washroom facilities. Under Regulation 21 of this act, suitable and sufficient sanitary facilities, as well as disposal methods must be provided at workplaces. This requires that sanitary bins must be regularly emptied and kept clean to ensure optimal hygiene standards and prevent cross contamination.
2. The Water Industries Act 1991
This piece of legislation regulates and governs the water industry in England and Wales. It keeps a close eye on how sewage, and possibly sanitary waste, gets released into public sewers. This act empowers regulators to set standards for water quality and safety, service reliability, and affordability. It aims to safeguard the environment by implementing measures to prevent water pollution, preserve water resources, and encourage sustainable water management practices.
3. The Environmental Protection Act 1990
This act introduced a “Duty of Care” provision, imposing legal obligations on waste producers, carriers, and disposers to ensure proper handling, transportation, and disposal of waste. Overall, this comprehensive piece of legislation plays a vital role in safeguarding the environment, promoting sustainable development, and protecting public health and well-being in the United Kingdom. This means that businesses have to step up their game when it comes to handling and getting rid of period waste.
If businesses do not adhere to the above legal requirements, specifically around the correct handling and disposal of period waste, or neglect to provide the proper means of sanitary disposal, they could be liable for fines and penalties imposed by local authorities.
Why do I need to provide sanitary waste disposal?
As outlined in the above mentioned regulations, the proper disposal of sanitary waste has an impact on the environment, your drain systems and your pocket. Below are some considerations that demonstrate why your business must provide sanitary waste disposal options, not only for those who menstruate, but also for the far-reaching effects that this can have:
1. Pollution of waterways
Towels and tampons that contain non-biodegradable synthetic fibres and plastics that are harmful to the environment. When they are flushed, they end up in rivers, lakes and oceans, polluting waterways and harming marine eco-systems and coastal environments. If sanitary bins are not provided in your washroom facilities, the only option is to flush them down the toilet.
The Marine Conservation Society in the UK regularly reports on the occurrence of period products found on beaches in their annual beach litter surveys.
2. Sewer blockages
The Water Industries Act states that sanitary waste that can cause harm to a sewer or drain should not be flushed. As well as having disastrous consequences for the environment, as mentioned above, putting period waste down the toilet can result in expensive drain clearing bills for your area.
What’s more, sanitary waste can also lead to blockages in your own drain systems. If your business has customers visiting your premises on a regular basis, smelly and out of order toilets can negatively impact your reputation.
3. Duty of Care legislation
Finally, The Environmental Act imposes a Duty of Care on organisations that produce, keep, or dispose of controlled waste, including sanitary waste. This means that providing the right facilities is mandatory.
How do you dispose of sanitary pads at work?
For companies looking to manage the disposal of sanitary pads and tampons effectively in the workplace, here are some practical tips:
- Provide sanitary bins: Ensure there are sufficient sanitary bins available in washrooms for the disposal of period products. These bins should be easily accessible and regularly emptied to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
- Educate your employees: Offer guidance to employees on the proper disposal of sanitary pads and tampons. This can include providing information on how to wrap and dispose of pads discreetly and responsibly to minimise any potential mess. This will help contribute to a more pleasant washroom environment for everyone.
- Regular sanitary bin services: Schedule regular maintenance and cleaning of washroom facilities, including emptying and disinfecting sanitary bins to ensure optimal hygiene levels.
- Discreet disposal options: Consider providing additional disposal options such as individual sanitary bags. This can help employees feel more comfortable and confident in disposing of their sanitary products discreetly.
- Compliance with UK legislation: Ensure that your company complies with relevant sanitary waste disposal legislation, as outlined in The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. This includes providing appropriate facilities and methods for the disposal of sanitary waste in the workplace.
- Promote sustainability: Consider implementing environmentally friendly disposal options, such as biodegradable or organic sanitary pads and tampons. Encouraging the use of reusable menstrual products can also help reduce waste and environmental impact.
- Feedback and improvement: Encourage feedback from employees regarding the disposal facilities and processes. This can help identify any issues or areas for improvement, ensuring that the disposal of period waste remains efficient and satisfactory for everyone.
By implementing these measures, companies can effectively manage the disposal of sanitary waste in the workplace, promoting cleanliness, hygiene, and employee well-being.
Where can I get sanitary bins?
Initial Washroom Hygiene provides a range of feminine hygiene waste disposal products as well as a collection service. This ensures that you can dispose of any waste in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner while ensuring that your business remains compliant with UK regulations.
Your sanitary bins will be serviced directly on your premises through our On Site Service (OSS) every time we visit so that a consistently high level of hygiene is maintained in your washrooms.
By servicing your feminine hygiene bins on site, we reduce our carbon footprint and use less water in cleaning your units. As a licensed waste carrier, we will also provide you with a full waste transfer certificate ensuring your business is compliant with government regulations.
If you would like more information about current sanitary waste legislation or would like to know more about any of the products and services we offer, please feel free to contact Initial.
