If you are a man, in a public washroom with an incontinence pad, stoma bag, or any other kind of disposable sanitary equipment that needs addressing, you currently have no where to dispose of said items. Here at VR Sani-Co we think that this is unfair, and we are joining many others who are campaigning to address the misconception that sanitary bins are a women only convenience. Read on as we explain exactly why we need sanitary bins in mens toilets.
What is a sanitary bin and what are the laws around them?
Sanitary bins are simply bins designed to go in public washroom cubicles, that are regularly serviced and emptied by qualified teams such as VR Sani-Co, and are there for the disposal of any personal hygiene waste, predominantly from menstruation. Yet many young boys, or fully grown men, have probably only seen a few in their lifetime – and only ever in a unisex toilet.
This is largely because they are currently only a legal requirement for public washroom spaces that women use. But we need sanitary bins in men’s toilets, as explained above.
The UK’s legal requirement for sanitary bins is laid out in three laws:
- the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992,
- The Water Industries Act 1991
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
The first mandates that all workplaces must provide suitable means for disposing of sanitary products in female washrooms.
The second two also play a role, as they ensuring the proper disposal and management of sanitary waste. As the provider has a duty of care to make sure that people using their toilets do not dispose of them improperly, i.e. down the toilet.
So, unless you only have the space for one shared toilet -a unisex toilet- there’s pretty much no reason for men to be familiar with a sanitary bin, until the time comes when they may need to use one.
But times are changing! There is a growing trend of municipalities and organisations implementing sanitary bins in men’s toilets in response to campaigns and increasing awareness of the need. For example, in the UK, several local councils have begun adding sanitary bins to men’s restrooms, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or near healthcare facilities. And it is not just the councils who are thinking about this. Football behemoth Manchester United recently installed male sanitary bins and provide some related products in the men’s toilets at Old Trafford as part of their “BOG STANDARD” initiative.
Why would men need to use a sanitary bin?
Without wading into the current hot topic of gendered toilets and who has access to which (we have another blog post about unisex toilets for that) there are a number of reasons why men -from birth or otherwise- may need to use a sanitary bin in a public place.
Incontinence: Anyone can experience incontinence, but women get all the facilities needed to deal with it. Men may be less likely to suffer from it, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Men can experience incontinence due to medical conditions such as prostate cancer, spinal cord injuries, or age-related issues. These conditions can cause them to leak urine or stool, making it necessary to dispose of absorbent pads or other products necessary for keeping the area clean when out and about. Sanitary bins in men’s toilets is a simple answer to this need.
Stoma Care: Again, another medical condition that affects any sex, yet is much easier to dispose of for women. Some men may have a stoma, an opening created surgically to divert waste from the body. They may need to dispose of bags or pads used to collect waste from the stoma.
Menstrual products: While less common, some men may use menstrual products due to medical conditions or personal preference.
Nappies: If a man is caring for a young child or has a disability requiring nappies, he may need to dispose of them in a sanitary bin. This is especially pertinent as there is still a huge lack of child-changing facilities that are accessible to both men and women or in male-based toilet areas – leaving many fathers little option than to use the male toilets to change the nappy or clean up their child.
Trans Men: It is important to remember that not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman, and not all women menstruate. A man may need to use a male washroom, but still dispose of menstruation materials.
The impact of not having sanitary bins in men’s toilets
As with female sanitary bins – if you do not provide them, you are opening up your space to all sorts of problems, both immediately and further down the line.
Initially there will be more mess. Extra rubbish, unwanted smells, and more bacteria than would normally be present if you had the proper disposal facilities.
Due to the stigma surrounding many of the conditions, the majority of people suffering will not want to exit the cubicles with their waste to dispose of it in the communal bins. Instead it will either be piled up down the side of the cubicle or flushed down the toilet.
This then leads to the bigger issue – chronically blocked pipes, a headache for keeping your washrooms functioning and a nightmare for the cost of plumber call outs!
The environmental impact of this must be considered too. These products are not designed to break down in water, so, if they don;t cause a blockage, they enter the system almost entirely intact. From there they impact the environment in so many ways; by interfering with wastewater treatment processes, and reducing the efficiency of removing pollutants from the water; increasing the energy required to treat wastewater contaminated with sanitary towels; and finally if they make their way into rivers and oceans, they can harm marine life and contribute to plastic pollution for many years to come.
There is also the reason that it is simply the right thing to do. Show your staff members, visitors and customers that you care and want to run inclusive, discreet but well equipped facilities where no one has to feel put out when using them.
What is #Boysneedbins?
One uncomfortable fact: 1 in 8 men in the United Kingdom will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. While the illness itself is a horrific thought, think about the added stress of having nowhere to dispose of dressings needed to deal with the accompanying symptoms.
That is where the “Boys Need Bins” campaign comes in. Although still a relatively new concept, it is already sparking some important conversations about male sanitary bins and incontinence – something which at least 6 million people suffer from, in the UK alone.
With backing from Prostate Cancer UK, they are calling for an update to the law around sanitary bins, to make sure that men’s bathrooms are required to provide them too. They put together a report called “Lifting the Lid on Male Incontinence” which showed that of those questioned, 98% were in favour of a law for at least one sanitary bin in men’s public bathrooms as standard. It has since been presented to the government for consideration.
It really shouldn’t even be an issue, as all of the problems could be solved with a few well serviced extra bins. That is all we are asking for. Surely, in the 21st century, that is not too much to ask for?
Final Thoughts
In an ideal world, there would be sanitary bins in every cubicle in every public toilet, so that no one ever has to face the embarrassment and inconvenience of not being able to dispose of personal hygiene items.
Providing sanitary bins in both men’s and women’s restrooms is essential for inclusivity and to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for all users, and that is why we also offer male sanitary bins services and will continue to campaign until they are an everyday sight in public bathrooms across the country.
With our range of high-quality and discreet sanitary bins, we ensure that all individuals feel comfortable and supported in maintaining their personal hygiene. Whether it’s in office spaces, public venues, or any other environment, VR Sani-Co is committed to creating inclusive washrooms for all.
