Affordable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly sanitary napkins for rural women, with a focus on degradation study

Abstract

The research work is to devise an economical sanitary napkin by utilizing naturally available resources, such as banana fibers and cotton cloth has enormous potential. The assessment of sanitary napkin was carried out using various measures: absorption capacity, retention capacity, wetback capacity and biodegradability test. The absorption test exhibit super absorbent polymers (SPA) around 140 g, carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC) showed 60g and untreated standard napkin 45–50 g in 3h. The sustainability times for the napkin containing SPA as the absorbent polymer ranged from 140 to 65 min, while for the napkin containing CMC found to be 75 to 35 min. Advantage of using the natural materials was their characteristic like porosity and retention of fluidity last for longer time with 2 naturally available extract (Curcuma longa, and Azadirachtaindica) were used as antibacterial agents. These low-cost napkins are eco-friendly, good absorbing capacity, hygienic and can be easily prepared by rural women at home with minimum training. Additionally, it reduces the price, of making napkin accessible for women of all social classes. This paper discusses the issue of biodegradable sanitary napkins, their disposal. It emphasizes the importance of using biodegradable sanitary napkins instead of conventional ones to address environmental concerns.

Keywords

• Banana fiber
• Eco-friendly
• Sanitary napkin
• Antibacterial
• Solid waste management