Hello Hoskins,

I’m curious to see what the chute actually looks like. I did a quick Google search, and the attached image is what I found from Modern Building, showing how such a model would ideally look. It is quite an innovation as we don't see this too often in MHM even for developed communities. 



What I’m really interested in is how this innovation appears in a less developed environment such as a humanitarian setting. Do you happen to have any photos you can share here? I also wonder how they deal with management issues such as cleaning or blockage. 

Regards,
Chaiwe

Smart Waste, Safe Spaces: How Cox's Bazar Is Redefining Menstrual-Supportive WASH in Crisis Settings

In humanitarian emergencies, menstrual health often becomes an invisible struggle. Beyond pads and hygiene kits, the real battle lies in what happens after use, how girls and women discreetly dispose, wash and manage menstrual waste in crowded camps. The refugee settlements of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, are quietly reshaping this narrative through practical, women-driven innovations in solid waste management for menstruation. Their solutions offer powerful lessons for the global WASH community.

Humanitarian actors in Cox's Bazar have learned that managing menstrual waste isn't just a hygiene issue, it's a matter of dignity, safety, and cultural sensitivity. Girls and women in the camps long voiced fears of being seen disposing menstrual materials, concerns about shame, witchcraft, and embarrassment, and the constant challenge of finding safe, discreet places to bury used pads.

To solve these challenges, NGOs introduced simple but transformative solid-waste innovations shaped directly by women's voices. One standout solution is the menstrual-waste chute: a hidden pipe inside female toilets that drops used materials into secure external containers. This protects privacy, reduces shame, and keeps waste away from pit latrines preventing blockages and expensive desludging.

At community centres, women now access multi-purpose WASH spaces where they can wash and dry reusable pads safely, away from public view. These areas blend privacy, protection and convenience, addressing cultural taboos and reducing the pressure to bury or improperly dispose of waste.

Equally notable is the shift toward engaging men, helping them understand why female-friendly facilities and waste systems matter. Their buy-in has eased tensions around facility placement and encouraged broader community acceptance.

The Cox's Bazar experience makes one thing clear: when women lead the design, menstrual-supportive WASH becomes more functional, more sustainable, and more dignified. And at the heart of this progress lies one overlooked component a smarter way to manage menstrual waste.