Rules & Regulations
Effects of Temperature on Thermoplastics
Most of the effects of temperature on thermoplastics occur at high heat levels, although excessively low temperatures can also have an impact. Mechanical properties, chemical resistance, electrical conductivity, material fatigue, and many other attributes can be affected by increased temperatures.
This is to clear and show the fact that all the materials can be toxic when they are inappropriately used and exposed.
Some polymers can emit toxic substances at 120°C and some can withstand temperatures up to 420°C with almost zero levels of emissions.
At extreme temperatures, polymers will simply burn down very quickly, leaving no toxic materials around.
Menstrual Hygiene Management National Guidelines (December 2015)
Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is an integral part of the Swach Bharat Mission Guidelines (SBM-G). The MHM Guideline (Dec 2015) is issued by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to support all adolescent girls and women. It outlines what needs to be done by state governments, district administrations, engineers and technical experts in line departments, and school head teachers and teachers.
As per MHM guidelines, 'Safe disposal' means ensuring that the process of destruction of used and soiled materials is done without human contact and with minimal environmental pollution and 'Unsafe disposal' means throwing used cloth into ponds, rivers, or in the fields exposes others in the area to decaying material and should be avoided. Offsite disposal can be organized with the communal or town solid waste collection and management system. If a hospital with a safe and treatment unit for hazardous waste is nearby, this might be a best solution to explore. However, this is unfortunately not a viable option for many rural schools, and transport will be a logistical and financial challenge. Options for on-site disposal include disposal deep burial, composting, pit burning, and incineration. The right option depends on key factors such as amount and type of materials, the available budget (investment and O&M costs), and environmental considerations. Burning in open heap should be totally avoided. If burning is the only option, a deep pit should be used.
Common Waste Disposal Practices
| Throw them unwrapped into fields, rooftops, etc. |
| Wrap them in paper/plastic bag and throw them outside |
| Drying, wrap in paper/plastic bag and throw in dustbins (mostly non-rural) |
| Burry them for de-composting |
| Throw them in latrine/toilets |
| Burn it (rural areas and peri-urban areas) |
| Use small scale incinerators (community or school level) |
| Municipal waste management / burning in health clinics (more urban) |
At Villages/Panchayat Level
At villages and Panchayat areas not having access to common incinerators, used home-made sanitary napkins made of natural tissues/paper/cloth/cotton, as well as reusable commercial cotton napkins, should be disposed of in the following ways:
- In small burial pits of more than 50 cm deep
- In pit latrines
For commercial sanitary napkins made with plastic and liners, use low-cost incinerators like the “Matka Incinerator” placed in open areas such as:
- Open backyard
- Open fields
- Terrace of the house
Disposal of Small Quantity of Non-Bio-Degradable Waste
According to Rule 15:
- Panchayat / Municipalities must apply in Form I for authorization to set up waste processing, treatment, or disposal facilities if the waste volume exceeds 5 metric tons per day.
- Small quantities of waste can be disposed of without authorization. Ensure that odor and nuisance are checked at regular intervals.
According to Rule 4 [(1) b]:
- Wrap used sanitary waste like diapers, sanitary pads, etc., securely in pouches provided by manufacturers or in suitable wrapping materials as instructed by local authorities.
- Place the wrapped waste in bins designated for dry or non-bio-degradable waste.
As per Rule 4(2):
- No waste generator shall throw, burn, or bury waste on streets, open public spaces, or in drains and water bodies.
- Waste should be eliminated in a scientific manner on the premises using proper gadgets if no public bins are provided by the local authority.
