Choosing the Right Sanitary Bin – A Buyer’s Guide

Sanitary bins – often overlooked, after all, a bin is just a bin, right? Wrong. Although not always immediately visible to the naked eye, sanitary bins can vary significantly, from size and design to capacity and disposal mechanisms. Whether you’re managing a small office space or a large, commercial facility, our guide will ensure your business adheres to regulations, encourages the best hygiene standards and meets the individual needs of your company.

Table of Contents

Understanding Sanitary Bins

A sanitary waste bin is used to dispose of menstrual hygiene products, such as tampons, pads and sanitary bags, safely and hygienically. If you have female employees or female visitors to your premises, then all businesses in the UK are legally required to provide appropriate facilities for the collection and disposal of sanitary dressings, as outlined in The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations Act 1992. The regulations do not state what the disposal method should be however sanitary bins are often the preferred, most hygienic choice for businesses.

The Importance of Providing Sanitary Disposal Bins

Not only is it a legal requirement to provide sanitary bins in commercial establishments with female customers or employees, but there are also benefits for your business too. In fact, 71% of women in the UK have said that they would be more likely to spend money in a business that provided the facilities needed to manage a period – highlighting that doing so could even increase revenue opportunities.

3 Key Factors to Consider

When it comes to providing sanitary bins, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to consider a variety of factors to ensure you are prioritising the safety and hygiene of your users. Here are some key considerations:

1. Size & Capacity

Did you know that 30% of women would rather flush their pads and tampons than come into contact with an overflowing waste bin? Flushing sanitary products down the toilet may seem convenient, but it could lead to serious consequences, including clogged drains and even flooding. This could be extremely costly for your business in the long run. As such, to minimise overflow, you should ensure your sanitary bins are of the right size and capacity.

Sanitary waste bins come in a variety of sizes. To help you decide on the right size unit for your space, ask yourself the following questions:

How often will the bins be serviced?
How many bins are provided?
How many people will be using the washrooms?

If you have a regular sanitary bin collection service, your bins may not need to be as large as the waste will be regularly removed.

2. Design & Aesthetics

Sanitary bins don’t have to be unsightly. A good sanitary bin will seamlessly fit into your bathroom design, supporting your brand reputation. Some units, such as the Hygeia by Citron Hygiene, are even available with decorative wraps to choose from in a variety of colours.

3. Disposal Mechanisms

Manual vs automatic lids? Pedal-operated vs. sensor? Which disposal mechanisms work best for you?

Sanitary waste bins that offer touch-free operation can provide an extra level of hygiene to users as there is a lower chance of cross-contamination. A staggering 70% of survey respondents agree that touch-free disposal units are the superior disposal option and when a touch-free unit is offered in a cubicle, the likelihood of flushing period products decreases. However, some businesses opt for manual operation as this solution tends to be more cost-effective.

You’ve chosen a hygienic, touch-free solution – but is pedal-operation or are sensors the most efficient choice for your business?

Pedal-operated bins require the user to step on a pedal to mechanically open the lid. Sensor-operated bins utilise infrared or motion sensors to automatically open the lid when movement is detected near the sensor. Both solutions eliminate the need for physical contact, helping to prevent the spread of germs as well as reducing fingerprints, smudges and marks on the bin exterior.

Some businesses such as those in the health or care sector may opt for sensor technology as pedal bins require a small amount of physical effort, meaning they may not be as user-friendly for individuals with mobility or accessibility issues. Sensor-operated bins also tend to benefit from a sleek, modern design that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the washroom. However, other companies may prefer to stick with a more traditional pedal-operation bin as they are typically more reliable due to their mechanical operation being simpler, with fewer parts that can malfunction. They are also generally more cost-effective upfront as there are no electronic components.

Sanitary Waste Disposal Bins from Citron Hygiene

Hygeia Sanitary Waste Disposal Unit

The washroom should be an extension of your brand. This is why our range features modern sanitary bins that promise to compliment your washroom and support brand reputation. The Citron Hygeia is mounted off the floor, with decorative wraps available in white and black. The Hygeia is an innovative, touchless and hygienic disposal system that works to eliminate odours and minimise risks from blood-borne pathogens.

Main features:

Premium design
Touchless design
Mounted off floor for washrooms limited on space
12L capacity

Inclusive Sanitary Disposal Bin

The final addition to our range is the Inclusiv Sanitary Disposal Bin. This unit is 22L, available in auto and footpedal, and benefits from reduced noise of closing mechanism and a slow/silent flap closing for discreet use. We prioritise sustainability, which is why this unit can be recycled at the end of its useful life, to reduce disposing into landfill.