If you have female employees, then you should provide sanitary bins in the workplace. This is not only a legal requirement, but it’s also good for employee morale and productivity. With providing a place to dispose of sanitary waste, you’ll also need to abide by sanitary waste disposal regulations.
Envirotec Hygiene Services can provide your business with sanitary bins as well as help with sanitary waste disposal, so you’re always up to date with sanitary waste laws. Get in touch with your requirements today! We’re happy to help you get on track with proper sanitary waste disposal.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the legal requirements for providing sanitary bins in the workplace within washroom facilities, as well as some tips on how to manage them effectively.
Sanitary Bins in the Duty of Care Act
The first point to consider is that sanitary bins are required by law in the UK. The Duty of Care Act 1990 requires employers to provide “suitable facilities” for the disposal of waste, and this includes sanitary waste. Failure to comply with this law can result in heavy fines and even legal consequences.
Maintaining a hygienic washroom environment not only means you’re in line with your legal obligations as an employer or business owner, but also means your female staff members feel supported in their use of feminine hygiene products and their proper disposal.
Sanitary Bins in The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
In addition to the Duty of Care Act, there are also specific regulations relating to sanitary bins in the workplace. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that toilets must have a “suitable means for the disposal of sanitary towels and other similar waste”. Again, failure to comply with these regulations can lead to heavy fines.
Adequate sanitary bins (or feminine hygiene bins) are there to collect used sanitary products so there is no improper disposal of sanitary waste on the premises. Not only does this abide with workplace regulations, it also removes the health risks associated with handling sanitary waste for employees and cleaners.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it clear that businesses have a duty of care to safely and properly manage waste (including sanitary waste), from storage to disposal.
All waste produced by feminine hygiene products should be disposed of correctly by a licensed waste carrier such as Envirotec Hygiene Services. We specialise in sanitary waste collection, and our sanitary bin service involves providing you with the means of proper disposal of sanitary waste such as sanitary bins, and advising you on appropriate facilities and responsible disposal of sanitary waste.
Call us now, and we’ll help you with our comprehensive sanitary bin services.
How Can I Implement Sanitary Bins For My Employees?
So now that we’ve established that you need to provide sanitary bins in the workplace, let’s take a look at how you can implement them effectively. Here are a few tips:
1. Make sure sanitary waste bins are easily accessible
Sanitary bins should be located close to toilets and washrooms so that employees can easily find them when they need them. Sanitary waste disposal should be discussed as proper sanitary waste management is key to maintaining washroom hygiene and is legally required under health, safety, and welfare regulations.
2. Train staff on how to use sanitary waste bins for their waste
It’s important that all staff know how to use the sanitary bins properly. They should be trained on what can be disposed of in them, and how often they need to be emptied. Eco friendly sanitary products are the best, as they reduce the environmental footprint of your premises, but hygienic disposal overall will lessen the environmental impact of using sanitary products. Flushing is not recommended for feminine waste, as this can clog drain systems, and is a drain on water industries.
3. Keep sanitary waste bins clean and well-maintained
Sanitary bins should be regularly cleaned and maintained so that they’re always hygienic and safe to use. Items such as incontinence pads, tampons, and sanitary pads will be placed here, so cross contamination can pose health risks if such waste is not handled properly.
4. Empty sanitary bins regularly
Sanitary bins should be emptied frequently so that they don’t become overloaded and pose a health hazard. A good rule of thumb is to empty them at least once per week, depending on the employee to bin ratio you have. Regular sanitary waste collection promotes a clean and healthy environment for your workplace.
Get your waste removed without stress with reliable service from waste disposal experts at Envirotec Hygiene Services.
How Do I Manage Sanitary Bin Waste in My Workplace?
Once you’ve implemented sanitary bins in your workplace, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to manage the waste they generate. Here are a few tips:
1. Use an accredited waste management company to remove your sanitary waste safely
When it comes to disposing of sanitary waste, it’s important to use an accredited waste management company who will dispose of it safely and responsibly.
2. Store sanitary waste safely and correctly to ensure proper disposal
Once you’ve collected the waste from the sanitary bin, it’s important to store it safely until it can be collected by the waste management company.
3. Keep a record of sanitary waste disposal collections
It’s a good idea to keep a record of all collections so that you can keep track of when the bin was last emptied and ensure that it’s being done regularly enough.
Manage sanitary waste responsibly and effectively with Envirotec Hygiene Services.
Workplace Sanitary Waste Disposal FAQs
What to do with pads if there is no bin?
If no proper facilities such as a separate sanitary bin are in place, this goes against UK regulations and should be reported to the local authorities (if in a public place). In this case, you should attempt to retain the sanitary waste until it can be disposed of correctly.
Is it illegal to not provide sanitary bins?
It is illegal in the UK for businesses to not provide sanitary waste disposal facilities, including sanitary bins. This is mandated by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and other relevant legislation.
How many sanitary bins do I need?
A standard rule of thumb is to provide one sanitary bin per cubicle, to promote a hygienic environment and reduce hazardous waste or offensive waste from improper disposal.
How often should sanitary bins be emptied at work?
Depending on usage and employee numbers, your waste management can be calculated by how much traffic the bathrooms are getting. If you need help figuring out your waste management system, give us a call. We can advise on hygiene waste management for your business or workplace, making sure your waste facilities are legal and clean.
Is sanitary waste classed as hazardous?
Sanitary waste is not considered hazardous waste, instead, it is classed as offensive waste, meaning it is unpleasant but not harmful.