You’ve used tampons, you’re done with your sanitary wipes, your contact lenses, your masks… and now you’re wondering; “Where are all these thrown things?” Some will think maybe you can flush them down the toilet or just throw them in the trash. Mistake! Never do this! Do not contribute to generating more hygiene problems around you.
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How to dispose of hygiene products safely.
Chances are you never knew how to dispose of your medical devices safely and properly.
Your sanitary products are made from materials that require you to dispose of them safely.
Here are some tips that can help you with three everyday products:
Contact lenses.
Do not flush your lenses down the toilet or down the sink. Used lenses can turn into microplastics, which can pose a threat to marine animals and microorganisms. It is best to throw them away with the rest of the household waste.
- ask your ophthalmologist. There are recycling programs for some contact lenses, including the container. Ask your eye doctor about recycling options for your contact lenses.
- Reuse cases. Contact lens cases should be replaced every three months. Bacteria can create a biofilm on their surface, which helps them hide from the disinfectant in the lens cleaning and disinfecting solution. Cases can be reused creatively.
- Choose long-lasting contact lenses. Wearing lenses with a longer lifespan can help reduce plastic waste.
Remember to wash your hands and dry them before putting in your contact lenses to protect your eyes and sight.
Masks.
Different germs can survive on a mask worn for different periods of time.
Experts believe that viruses, when exposed, can survive anywhere from hours to days.
We must not dispose of used masks anywhere, as they may pose a potential health risk to people who come into contact with them.
Also, some people collect them for reuse and as a result, they can put their health at risk.
- fabric face mask: They should be washed properly and frequently and allowed to hang and air dry.
- surgical mask: It should be removed with the chin up and be careful to remove it from the strings and be careful not to touch the front when removing the mask. After removing your mask, fold it in half inward so that droplets from your mouth and nose are not exposed. Then fold the mask in another half, until it looks like a roll. You can also wrap the earrings around the mask so it won’t come off. Then wrap the mask in a paper or polythene bag and throw it away.
- n95 mask: When removing your mask, hold the edge of the mask straps to remove it. Do not touch the inside of the respirator. Wash your hands before and after doing this. Remove the mask carefully so as not to spread contaminants on it. Place the mask in a plastic bag or ziplock bag. You can also store it in a breathable container, such as a paper bag, between uses. Secure the bag well. Put the plastic bag in a trash can or in a biomedical waste collection centre, if you are near a health center or if your company has one. Never put on a new mask before washing your hands thoroughly.
Used towels and tampons.
First of all, when handling used pads or tampons, make sure your hands are protected, your own hygiene comes first! Wrap these sanitary products in a suitable bag or in the product packaging provided by the manufacturer before disposing of them. Never throw away the packaging of your sanitary products. They can be very useful.
Throw the products in a bin and make sure everything is clean and hygienic. Have two different bins so that you can dispose of household waste and sanitary products separately.
Don’t try to flush used products down the toilet, as this can cause big clogs and end up damaging your or someone else’s bathroom.
Empty the trash cans every two days or so. This prevents bad smells.
Finally, always, and we mean ALWAYS, wash your hands after handling these products. Again, your hygiene comes first.