Advice On Your Sanitary Bin Service

The term feminine hygiene was probably thought up by a man, as a seemingly polite conversational phrase or euphemism to cover all personal care products used by menstruating women.

In this context, I am discussing the disposal of used feminine hygiene protective products by users of commercial premises. This could be your office staff or indeed members of the public.

These days, the sanitary bin is a ubiquitous product standing guard in the corner of the toilet cubicle; but this was not always the case. Indeed it is still common in smaller, old fashioned premises to see brown disposal bags hung up on a hook and a simple flip-top bin for disposal.


This leads to the dangers of drain blockages. If the user tries to flush away the used product through embarrassment, or leaves the daily cleaner with the task of emptying the bin and disposing of the contents amongst the general office waste. This is not a service acceptable to many cleaning operatives today, and would not normally be included within an office cleaning contract.


Bridging the gap between this in-house, DIY method of disposal and the full range of professional feminine hygiene disposal services, are systems utilising stand alone bins which contain a disposable cartridge. To alleviate any smells they contain deodorising crystals and just like a standard professional disposal bin the flip top operates in such a way that the contents of the internal disposable cartridge are not visible to users.

Once again, disposal is carried out by in-house staff, but at least the internal cartridges can be sealed, albeit disposal is still with the general office waste.

Great claims are often made about the biodegradability of these types of sanitary bins and liners, but when you balance the initial purchase cost of the bins themselves, a constant supply of cartridges and the task of exchanging the cartridges, then disposing it alongside general waste. The cost versus benefit is not so apparent, especially if you are the one who has to change the cartridge, as most probably your cleaning staff will refuse point blank.


This leaves the full professional service as the most likely solution to a trouble free, out-of-mind service. Or so you think?

Just like buying any goods or services, it is vital that you compare ‘apples with apples not oranges’, otherwise you will end up making mistakes which you are locked into and paying for the pleasure.

While this might sound elementary, you should check whether you need the service at all. If female staff are not employed and your premises are not used by the general public, why bother? If the female staff are of a certain age there might not be a requirement. To avoid any embarrassment or doubt simply ask the staff if they would like the service.


Once past these basic fundamentals, use the following checklist to ensure that you are getting value for money, by asking your potential sanitary waste disposal supplier:

How often will you exchange the sanitary bins? I want a monthly service for hygiene reasons.

Do you expect me to sign a contract which locks me in for 36 or 60 months?

If you do, what notice do I have to give you and is it on any particular date?

Will you charge me separately each year for a Duty of Care certificate?

Do you charge 13 weeks in advance?

Do your staff just remove the contents of the bin, do my staff have to clean it, or do you take the whole unit away and hygienically clean it?

Can I have a look at an example of your contract agreement so I can see what small print there is?