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A Guide to Proper Disposal: Can You Flush Tampons?

Whether you’re at work, in public places, or at home, figuring out the best way to dispose of tampons can be unclear. While sanitary products are usually reserved for designated sanitary bins, many people wonder if tampons and pads can be flushed. Let’s explore why flushing tampons isn’t recommended. At B Hygienic, we’re committed to providing solutions for responsible disposal of sanitary products and breaking down stigmas around menstrual hygiene.

The Impact of Flushing Tampons

Did you know that it’s estimated that between 1.5 to 2 billion menstrual products are flushed in the UK each year! This staggering number poses serious concerns for plumbing, the environment, and even health.
Imagine this: You flush a tampon or pad down the toilet, thinking that it will disappear like toilet paper. But here’s the thing, sanitary products are made to absorb and hold onto moisture, so they don’t break down easily in water. Before you know it, these items can clog up plumbing, leading to backups and overflows that are not only inconvenient but can also be expensive to repair.
The issue doesn’t stop at the plumbing within a property. Flushed sanitary products can travel through pipes and clog up the municipal sewer system, causing big-time blockages. This can lead to nasty sewage spills that that pose serious health and environmental hazards. Local councils spend significant resources addressing these clogs, which could be avoided with proper disposal practices.

Environmental Consequences

Flushing sanitary products has a ripple effect on our environment. When these items reach rivers, lakes, and oceans, they contribute to water pollution. Many sanitary products contain plastic (one estimate is that pads are made of up to 90% plastic), which can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, harming marine life and degrading ecosystems. By choosing to dispose of these products correctly, we help to protect our planet’s precious waterways.
Key Stats:
  • It has been estimated that of the 4.3 billion menstrual products used each year in the UK between 1.5-2 billion are flushed. This equates to 35-47% of all used products.
  • There are approximately 300,000 sewer blockages every year across the United Kingdom, costing roughly £100 million to address.
  • The 2022 Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Beachwatch Report, found that sewage-related debris, which contains single-use period products, comprised 15% of the total litter items recorded on surveyed beaches throughout the UK.
  • Sanitary items often contain plastics, which persist for long periods in the environment, breaking down over time into smaller and smaller pieces (eventually becoming microplastics).

Why Do People Flush Tampons?

A key issue in the proper disposal of sanitary products is that many people are unaware that sanitary products should not be flushed. There is a significant lack of awareness about the consequences of flushing these items. Other reasons for flushing include insufficient access to sanitary bins, bins being full, or not having a bathroom bin at home.
These factors highlight that tampon flushing is avoidable, and increasing awareness, education, and access to appropriate disposal facilities could greatly reduce the problem.

A Simple Solution

The solution is simple: use designated sanitary disposal units that are provided in restrooms. Sanitary disposal units are specifically designed to handle sanitary waste, ensuring that the waste is managed hygienically and responsibly. By using these units, we can prevent plumbing problems, reduce maintenance costs, and protect the environment.

Tampons should never be flushed. By providing proper disposal facilities and promoting awareness (ensuring that workplaces and public facilities have visible signs reminding users not to flush tampons), businesses and organisations can prevent plumbing problems, lower maintenance costs, and play a crucial role in reducing the impact of tampon waste on our environment.

Discover B Hygienic’s range of washroom hygiene services and together, let’s champion responsible disposal habits to protect our planet.

Simpler Recycling – prepare for March 2025

Recycling is a crucial practice for preserving our environment and conserving resources. However, it can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to sorting and preparing items for recycling. Fortunately, maintaining good hygiene practices can not only streamline the recycling process but also contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

The National ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms under DEFRA regulations announced in October, mean all businesses in the UK – and organisations like hospitals and schools – must have separate food waste and recycling collections in place by the end of March 2025.

Who does it apply to?

Businesses with 10 or more full time equivalent employees will have to begin separating both dry recyclable and food waste streams for collection by March 31st 2025 with recyclable plastic film to be collected by March 31st 2027. If you’re a smaller business, with fewer than ten full-time employees, you’ve got until 31 March 2027, but it’s a good idea to take the opportunity to comply early – one less thing to worry about!

What can be recycled?

Recyclable materials to be separated from general waste include: Glass such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars
Metal such as drinks cans and food tins
Plastic such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles
Paper such as old newspapers and envelopes
Cardboard such as delivery boxes and packaging
Food waste including tea bags, coffee grounds, leftovers or waste generated by food preparation (NB. There is no minimum amount for food waste)

What preparation is required?

Getting into a good practise now is the best way to be ready for the implementation next March. Having recycling stations is the easiest way to set this up.
At B Hygienic we have 3 units currently – one cardboard, one for glass & metal and a general waste – this is helping staff understand the need to change our habits – all items are rinsed and put into the correct recycling unit.

Please get in touch with us if you would like any more information – we can help with your recycling station options.

Menstrual Health Awareness Month

In today’s world, where the availability of fundamental needs is frequently assumed, a silent yet pervasive issue persists: period poverty. It’s a battle fought in the shadows, where access to something as basic as menstrual hygiene products can determine a person’s dignity, health, and opportunities. While it may seem like a simple matter, the ramifications of period poverty are profound and far-reaching…

What is “Period Poverty”?

Period poverty is a pressing issue that affects individuals worldwide, particularly those in low-income communities. It refers to the inability of individuals to afford or access essential menstrual hygiene products, sanitation facilities, and education about menstruation.

At its core, period poverty is a matter of equity and dignity. For many individuals, the monthly arrival of menstruation brings not only physical discomfort but also the anxiety of not having the means to manage it adequately.

Inadequate access to menstrual products can lead to the use of unsanitary alternatives, such as rags or tissue, which can increase the risk of infections and other health complications. Furthermore, the lack of access to proper sanitation facilities exacerbates the challenges faced by those menstruating, particularly in public spaces and schools.

The impact of period poverty extends beyond immediate health concerns to encompass broader social and economic inequalities. In many communities, menstruation is still shrouded in stigma and taboo, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment among those experiencing it. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help or support, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty and marginalisation.

The Impact of Period Poverty

Period poverty significantly impacts numerous individuals globally, especially women and girls, including those in the UK. The lack of access to affordable menstrual products and adequate sanitation not only compromises physical health but also hinders education, economic involvement, and overall welfare.

• It was estimated that more than 137,700 girls in the UK missed school in 2018 because they didn’t have access to sanitary products.

• Research by Plan International UK indicates that 1-in-10 girls (aged 14 to 21) are facing period poverty in the UK.

According to a WaterAid survey, the cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating impact on people who menstruate in the UK. To commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, the global charity surveyed 2,000 British people who menstruate (aged 14 to 50). The survey revealed alarming methods that people are resorting to in order to cut expenses, such as:

• Nearly a quarter (24%) of women and girls in the UK indicated difficulty affording period products within the past year.

• Almost a third (32%) expressed concerns about their ability to afford these products in the future.

• 20% of the girls and women surveyed resorted to makeshift materials, such as toilet paper or sponges, to manage their periods.

• 26% wore period products for longer than recommended, risking their health.

• 15% missed school or work due to affordability issues.

Fighting Period Poverty

However, amidst these challenges, there are signs of progress. Activists, organisations (such as Period Power, and communities are coming together to tackle period poverty head-on.

Education emerges as a potent tool in this battle. By breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and by providing thorough menstrual health education, we can empower individuals to take charge of their own health and well-being. From classrooms to community centres, initiatives are teaching both boys and girls about menstruation, challenging taboos, stigmas, and promoting gender equality.

Access to affordable menstrual products is another critical area of focus. From grassroots initiatives that distribute free pads to government policies that eliminate sales taxes on menstrual products, there is a growing recognition that menstrual hygiene is a basic human right, not a luxury.

B Hygienic actively contributes to combating period poverty through several initiatives. As a dedicated provider for the PickUpMyPeriod campaign, we support efforts to provide free period products to those in need. This campaign directs users to the nearest location offering free period products, utilising GPS location or entered postcodes for accuracy. Users can also filter product types and information is available on the location of the products within the building, allowing users to maintain discretion.

We’ve also organised a fundraising campaign that involves a hike up Snowdon in June. The proceeds will support Period Power, a charity that provides period products to organisations across the Midlands, ensuring access for anyone who menstruates. Our goal is to raise £1,000, which will enable Period Power to distribute over 7,000 sanitary pads to those in need.

To mitigate the impact of period poverty on education, we are providing free vending machines for sanitary products in schools. These vending machines ensure that students have convenient access to essential menstrual products, thereby removing barriers to learning that are caused by period poverty. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also promotes a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.

The fight against period poverty is far from over, but with each small victory, we come closer to a future where menstruation is no longer a barrier to education, health, or dignity. It’s a future where all individuals, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to thrive. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, break down the barriers, and build a world where periods are no longer a source of shame, but a symbol of strength and resilience.

International Women’s Day

Happy International Women’s Day.

She is a Dreamer, she is a believer, she is a doer, she is an achiever, and that she is “You”.

This year the organisers of IWD are encouraging companies to get involved in the campaign by encouraging staff to take a photo of themselves striking the IWD 2024 pose and share your #InspireInclusion image, video, resources, presentation or articles on social media using the following hashtags
#IWD2024


The pose for this year is to simply to make a heart shape with your hands to show solidarity.

As a female led business we are very proud to be a part of this day, a day that women showed courageous actions to spark the movement and changes women need. By no means are we there yet but supporting each other we can be.

You may be wondering why you should celebrate International Women’s Day. Well, that’s because although a lot has changed for women, we still need the day to celebrate women’s achievements and recognise that we need to take further action towards gender parity.

Happy Women’s Day.

This life has no existence without a strong ally in ‘Woman’ in every stage of life starting from motherhood to wife, from sister and finally a daughter.

World Earth Day 2024

This year, Earth Day is demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040, with the ultimate goal of ending plastic production altogether.

The theme ‘planet vs plastic’ is one which on this awareness day, we all play a part in.

Recycling can help reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills or the environment, however it does have limitations in terms of its impact on carbon emissions and microplastic pollution.

Here are some of things B Hygienic have done so far:

– Introduced a plastic and cardboard recycling station for all office based rubbish – the DEFRA regulation comes into force in March 2025 – preparing early for this is key to the success.

– Recycling stations for all cardboard, plastic waste from customer installations

– Educated our team on eco friendly products within the workplace

– Source eco-friendly materials – banning wipes containing plastic – this will soon be enforced by the government.

– Look for alternative forms of packaging

– Supported Unblocktober – a reminder of the collective responsibility we have in maintaining clean and hygienic washrooms.

– Big Blue Ocean Clean Up – renewed our partnership. We all have a responsibility to ensure we are working towards better sustainability, which means we can meet our own needs without compromising future generations

– Audit and minimise single-use plastics

We asked one of our youngest supporters Havanna, to draw the earth (see the photo attached) and to explain in her own words what she thinks World Earth Day is about; “Picking up plastic and all rubbish, so that animals can run around and have a good life”.

We think Havanna says it best – we all have a part to play and we should do this for our future generations.

If you would like to discuss options for your business to reduce plastics – we can help.

National Day of Reflection

A day to support those who lost loved ones during the pandemic and to remember those we lost.

Our Director Vicki shared her thoughts via our Instagram page on the times for B hygienic during COVID 19. We all have our memories and stories, Vicki worked through the time in our service office helping to source products and PPE. The local care homes and hospices struggled to obtain and we managed to help where we could.

We found it difficult to manage the price increases as we knew it didn’t seem right having to source products at a much higher value than they had been the month before. We were lucky to have such loyal staff who worked hard when they could.

We did increase our sales in hand sanitizer however we also credited all smaller businesses who had been forced to close, we were lucky that we did keep going but it didn’t mean a profit increase.

We all learnt alot during this time, being kind, accepting things change and not to take things for granted.