When discussing environmental challenges in Kenya, conversations often revolve around deforestation, wildlife conservation, and plastic bags.
However, an equally critical yet overlooked issue is sanitary waste management. Items such as menstrual pads, diapers, incontinence products, and their packaging have created a silent environmental disaster with profound implications for public health and societal wellbeing.
According to the Managing Director, Sanitary Bins Kenya, Ruth Mwangi is calling for a multi-faceted approach to deal with the sanitary waste issue occasioned by the growing accumulation of menstrual products, diapers, and incontinence items most of which contain high levels of plastic which poses a silent but significant environmental threat.
“Kenya’s sanitary waste issue demands a multi-faceted approach. These include: investing in infrastructure by providing widespread access to clearly marked, hygienic sanitary bins in schools, workplaces, residential areas, and public spaces; promoting sustainable alternatives like menstrual cups, reusable pads, and biodegradable diapers.” She said.
Adding that: “These as well as implementing robust public education campaigns emphasising the message “Bin it, Don’t Flush it” to break taboos around menstrual hygiene, and strengthening policy enforcement by enhancing regulations on sanitary waste disposal and promoting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) among manufacturers.”
A Hidden Environmental Threat
Sanitary pads and diapers, often composed of up to 90% plastic, can take hundreds of years to decompose. In Kenya, improper disposal flushing or dumping them in open drains has led to severe blockages in urban sewer systems, notably in cities like Nairobi, resulting in frequent flooding and unhygienic overflow during rainy seasons.
The notorious Dandora dumpsite, overwhelmed by unsegregated waste, leaks harmful chemicals and pathogens into the Nairobi River, ultimately contaminating the Indian Ocean and affecting marine ecosystems.
Mwangi says, beyond environmental damage, poor sanitary waste management directly threatens human health stressing that mixed sanitary waste attracts disease vectors such as rats, flies, and mosquitoes, raising risks of outbreaks of dengue, malaria, cholera, and diarrhoea.
Communities living near dumpsites, such as those in Nairobi’s informal settlements she notes often suffer respiratory problems and infections due to exposure to hazardous waste and fumes from waste burning.
Economic and Social Costs
She notes that improper waste handling isn’t just harmful it’s expensive. Kenyan municipalities spend significantly on emergency plumbing repairs, flood management, and health care costs related to outbreaks stemming from improper waste disposal.
Additionally, the stigma around menstruation in Kenya means girls frequently miss school days, lacking proper sanitary facilities or disposal options, undermining educational achievement and gender equity.
Organisations in Kenya have stepped up efforts, distributing reusable sanitary products and educating communities about responsible sanitary waste management. Yet these efforts remain insufficient against the scale of the challenge. International examples, like India’s Swachh Bharat mission and the UK’s public campaigns against flushing sanitary products, demonstrate the positive impact of combining infrastructure improvements with public awareness.
Mwangi emphasized that with the right investment, education, and regulatory frameworks, Kenya can become a regional leader in sustainable sanitary waste management. “We already know what works. Now we need to prioritise and implement it. This is not just about waste it’s about dignity, health, and our environment.”
