In a significant step towards safer and more hygienic waste management, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a dedicated collection service for sanitary and special care waste generated at residential and commercial establishments. The Sanitary Waste Collection initiative aims to address a long-standing health and sanitation issue, with a focus on protecting waste collectors and promoting responsible disposal practices.
What Is the Initiative?
The special collection drive is designed to collect domestic sanitary and personal care waste, including:
- Used sanitary pads
- Diapers
- Expired medicines
- Injections and needles
- Bandages, cotton, or any waste contaminated with bodily fluids like urine, blood, saliva, pus, or faeces
- Personal hygiene products such as razor blades, tampons, and condoms
These items are often disposed of in regular household waste, creating serious health hazards for sanitation workers.
Who Has Registered So Far?
As of now, 209 housing societies and establishments have voluntarily registered for the service:
- 97 housing complexes
- 96 beauty parlours
- 12 educational institutions
- 4 women’s hostels
The service is expected to begin in the next few days, with the BMC finalising logistics and providing training to residents and stakeholders.
How Will It Work?
To ensure smooth and safe collection, the BMC is distributing yellow bags that residents and establishments must use for collecting sanitary waste. The civic body has also enlisted NGOs to train societies and beauty parlours about the proper segregation of waste and what materials will be picked up under this service.
“Initially, people came forward to register on their own. But this will later become a mandatory requirement,” said Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Solid Waste Management.
Why Is This Important?
According to civic officials, mixing sanitary waste with general waste exposes sanitation workers to hazardous materials, including biological contaminants and sharp objects like needles and razor blades. This not only increases health risks but also violates safe waste handling practices.
Beauty parlours, in particular, generate a significant amount of hazardous waste — such as used wax strips, gloves, and sharp instruments — which must be handled separately to avoid contamination.
What’s Next?
The BMC plans to:
- Start daily waste collection using dedicated vehicles
- Expand the registration process and gradually make it mandatory for all housing societies and establishments
- Continue public awareness campaigns through NGOs and local ward offices
Once fully implemented, this initiative is expected to significantly reduce health hazards for sanitation workers and enhance overall hygiene across Mumbai’s neighbourhoods.
