- Equity, inclusion and sanitation workers
- Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) or Menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
- Sanitary Pad burner/incinierator design
Sanitary Pad burner/incinierator design
26.4k views

Dear all!
i am looking for design examples for simple low cost sanitary napkin incinerators/burners, preferable for schools or for public toilets.
such as in this picture
or here:
I am also looking forward if anyone can share some more practical experiences as well, either in this forum or directly by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WSSCC is planning to compile a data file on MHM. And while screening companies for sanitary pads vendor and incinerators (mostly based in India), i tend to prefer the low cost option i because schools can eventually built it themselves.
i am looking for design examples for simple low cost sanitary napkin incinerators/burners, preferable for schools or for public toilets.
such as in this picture
or here:
I am also looking forward if anyone can share some more practical experiences as well, either in this forum or directly by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WSSCC is planning to compile a data file on MHM. And while screening companies for sanitary pads vendor and incinerators (mostly based in India), i tend to prefer the low cost option i because schools can eventually built it themselves.
International Coordinator Menstrual Hygiene Day
WASH United
www.wash-united.org
WASH United
www.wash-united.org
Attachments:
-
Newinciner...MAKA.jpg (Filesize: 156KB)
-
Gachoireov...ower.jpg (Filesize: 57KB)
The following user(s) like this post: Esther
You need to login to reply
Ina,
probably the brick-built solution is cheaper than the metal version.
The pictured incinerator first reminded me of the re:char biochar kiln:
www.re-char.com/buy/
www.fastcompany.com/1805296/jason-arambu...echar-biochar-africa
..which sells for USD 290 in the US, but is also locally made in Kenya in a trial for 25-30 USD. They also just received a grant from Gates Foundation and I would love to see this re:char kiln combined with JaniPads ( www.janipad.com/ ) and/or MakaPads ( www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=88359 ) to keep it organic and plastic-free.
Else, I believe that most of these locally made normal incinerators in Africa just aren't well documented by local entrepreneurs (due to IPRs, manpower, etc.), which is why most of the stuff we can find online is from Asia or the US.
Kenya:
From my "bible", The Wilderness Guardian
ISBN 9966498265
And then this case study from UNICEF in Tamil Nadu:
ddws.gov.in/sites/upload_files/ddws/file..._study_tamilnadu.pdf
(with a contact)
Other recommended resources for documented low-cost, low-tech approaches:
www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/cd3wd/index.htm
www.instructables.com
practicalaction.org/browse-and-download-answers
Uhm, I believe you already checked all of these and also googled for it.
The 2nd pic you posted is from Gachoire Girl's High School in Kagwe, Kenya. Maybe Christian R. can organize a technical drawing of that incinerator?
probably the brick-built solution is cheaper than the metal version.
The pictured incinerator first reminded me of the re:char biochar kiln:
www.re-char.com/buy/
www.fastcompany.com/1805296/jason-arambu...echar-biochar-africa
..which sells for USD 290 in the US, but is also locally made in Kenya in a trial for 25-30 USD. They also just received a grant from Gates Foundation and I would love to see this re:char kiln combined with JaniPads ( www.janipad.com/ ) and/or MakaPads ( www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=88359 ) to keep it organic and plastic-free.
Else, I believe that most of these locally made normal incinerators in Africa just aren't well documented by local entrepreneurs (due to IPRs, manpower, etc.), which is why most of the stuff we can find online is from Asia or the US.
Kenya:
From my "bible", The Wilderness Guardian

ISBN 9966498265
And then this case study from UNICEF in Tamil Nadu:
ddws.gov.in/sites/upload_files/ddws/file..._study_tamilnadu.pdf
(with a contact)
Other recommended resources for documented low-cost, low-tech approaches:
www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/cd3wd/index.htm
www.instructables.com
practicalaction.org/browse-and-download-answers
Uhm, I believe you already checked all of these and also googled for it.
The 2nd pic you posted is from Gachoire Girl's High School in Kagwe, Kenya. Maybe Christian R. can organize a technical drawing of that incinerator?
Juergen Eichholz
watsan eng.
water, sanitation, IT & knowledge management
www.saniblog.org
Toilets in Frankfurt/Main www.facebook.com/ffmtoi
watsan eng.
water, sanitation, IT & knowledge management
www.saniblog.org
Toilets in Frankfurt/Main www.facebook.com/ffmtoi
Attachments:
-
IMG_0037.JPG (Filesize: 38KB)
-
IMG_0038.JPG (Filesize: 42KB)
-
IMG_0039.JPG (Filesize: 42KB)
The following user(s) like this post: awomansworthinc
You need to login to reply
Hi Juergen
Thanks for all the links and materials - especially the Tamil Nadu one , which i did not find previously (..?...). That was exactly what i was looking for!
jajaja, the wilderness Guardian - can come in handy in Eschborn
and i will definately check the "instructables" during weekend for
7layer cookies

INA
Thanks for all the links and materials - especially the Tamil Nadu one , which i did not find previously (..?...). That was exactly what i was looking for!
jajaja, the wilderness Guardian - can come in handy in Eschborn


INA
International Coordinator Menstrual Hygiene Day
WASH United
www.wash-united.org
WASH United
www.wash-united.org
Karibu!
I also just realized that there's some good material when I google for "Maka Pads".
E.g. www.questafrica.org/Mkmusaazi.aspx
I also just realized that there's some good material when I google for "Maka Pads".
E.g. www.questafrica.org/Mkmusaazi.aspx
Juergen Eichholz
watsan eng.
water, sanitation, IT & knowledge management
www.saniblog.org
Toilets in Frankfurt/Main www.facebook.com/ffmtoi
watsan eng.
water, sanitation, IT & knowledge management
www.saniblog.org
Toilets in Frankfurt/Main www.facebook.com/ffmtoi
So, i have been looking into small incinerators for Sanitary Pads and even used the previous mentioned design in designing one here in Naivasha, Kenya. It defiantly gets VERY hot. With only 25ksh worth of charcoal (1/2 a small bucket) we are trying to burn about 50L of compressed waste. Attached is a picture of the current incinerator. The idea is to now attach it to a women's toilet so they will have direct access of disposing sanitary pads without anyone seeing or knowing. Then once a month, when it is full, a small amount of charcoal or wood will be used to hopefully properly burn the sanitary pads.
my question out there is how do we KNOW that the waste is burning properly?
my question out there is how do we KNOW that the waste is burning properly?
Co-Founder of Sanivation
Sanitation Engineer working with solar FS treatment
Sanitation Engineer working with solar FS treatment
The following user(s) like this post: Doreen, Esther
You need to login to reply
Dear inajurga,
I had recently help on a similar incinerator question,
from Toby Gould, Technical Support Services Manager, of RedR, London, www.redr.org.uk (people and skills for disaster relief), Technical Support Service: (Free for all humanitarian workers, for details see our website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.),
maybe it is helpful to you too:
...
I have no experience of the design of the medical facilities, but there has been a lot of development work on incinerators for small medical facilities that can be accessed here: www.mw-incinerator.info/en/101_welcome.html
The de Montfort incinerator is considered very good for small to medium sized health facilities and Jim Pickens, who designed it at de Montfort University would be willing to answer questions if necessary.
Regards,
Detlef SCHWAGER
I had recently help on a similar incinerator question,
from Toby Gould, Technical Support Services Manager, of RedR, London, www.redr.org.uk (people and skills for disaster relief), Technical Support Service: (Free for all humanitarian workers, for details see our website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.),
maybe it is helpful to you too:
...
I have no experience of the design of the medical facilities, but there has been a lot of development work on incinerators for small medical facilities that can be accessed here: www.mw-incinerator.info/en/101_welcome.html
The de Montfort incinerator is considered very good for small to medium sized health facilities and Jim Pickens, who designed it at de Montfort University would be willing to answer questions if necessary.
Regards,
Detlef SCHWAGER
www.aqua-verde.de
"simple" Sanitation-Solutions by gravity
Low-Tech Solutions with High-Tech Effects
"Inspired by Circular Economy and Cooperation"
www.flickr.com/photos/aqua-verde/
"simple" Sanitation-Solutions by gravity
Low-Tech Solutions with High-Tech Effects
"Inspired by Circular Economy and Cooperation"
www.flickr.com/photos/aqua-verde/
Dear Juergen and Colleagues,
Thanks for your posts.
SEI's Global Review of Sanitation System Trends and Interactions with Menstrual Management Practice states: "Incineration releases dioxins and other noxious gases, causing respiratory illnesses, air pollution, and contributing to climate change."
A colleague recently shared the below article:
ecofemme.org/2015/04/breaking-the-silenc...trual-hygiene-waste/
Has the subject of the dangers of burning non reusable MHM material been discussed on Susana?
Best regards,
John
Thanks for your posts.
SEI's Global Review of Sanitation System Trends and Interactions with Menstrual Management Practice states: "Incineration releases dioxins and other noxious gases, causing respiratory illnesses, air pollution, and contributing to climate change."
A colleague recently shared the below article:
ecofemme.org/2015/04/breaking-the-silenc...trual-hygiene-waste/
Has the subject of the dangers of burning non reusable MHM material been discussed on Susana?
Best regards,
John
John Brogan
Terre des hommes
Terre des hommes
Dear John,
To answer your question:
I am guessing that when the menstrual hygiene products contain plastics then the gases produced from burning would not be good for air quality!
It could be that people are caught between a rock and a hardstone though if they have no other way of disposal?
Certainly not ideal.
Perhaps the people on this forum who have experiences with sanitary pad burners could say something about this issue?
It's another reason in favor of menstrual cups which are reused for years and not burned ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup ).
Regards,
Elisabeth
To answer your question:
I think the answer is no.Has the subject of the dangers of burning non reusable MHM material been discussed on Susana?
I am guessing that when the menstrual hygiene products contain plastics then the gases produced from burning would not be good for air quality!
It could be that people are caught between a rock and a hardstone though if they have no other way of disposal?
Certainly not ideal.
Perhaps the people on this forum who have experiences with sanitary pad burners could say something about this issue?
It's another reason in favor of menstrual cups which are reused for years and not burned ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup ).
Regards,
Elisabeth
Dr. Elisabeth von Muench
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
- SusannahClemence
-
- independent researcher
Less- Posts: 52
- Karma: 1
- Likes received: 18
Or reusable cotton cloth... What were the women using before the disposables and how did they process it? Make sure that is do-able in this current situation.
The following user(s) like this post: Esther
You need to login to reply
- fausto
-
- Circular Systems Designer
Less- Posts: 3
- Likes received: 1
Hi All,
The issue with incinerating disposable pads, is that if the pads contain chlorine or fluorine, this will give off toxic fumes when burned. As far as I know pads have trace amount of chlorine to bleach them.
The best way of doing this would be to have a catalytic converter attached to the exhaust of your incinerator, this should deal with the toxic fumes.
Cheers
Fausto
The issue with incinerating disposable pads, is that if the pads contain chlorine or fluorine, this will give off toxic fumes when burned. As far as I know pads have trace amount of chlorine to bleach them.
The best way of doing this would be to have a catalytic converter attached to the exhaust of your incinerator, this should deal with the toxic fumes.
Cheers
Fausto
The following user(s) like this post: Esther
You need to login to reply
Dear Susannah
There is meeting on right now about designing reusable sanitary pads.
It consists of representatives from 3 partner organisations involved in MHM projects here in Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.
Cheers
Esther
There is meeting on right now about designing reusable sanitary pads.
It consists of representatives from 3 partner organisations involved in MHM projects here in Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.
Cheers
Esther
Esther
- SusannahClemence
-
- independent researcher
Less- Posts: 52
- Karma: 1
- Likes received: 18
Thank you for the notification Esther!
Share this thread:
- Equity, inclusion and sanitation workers
- Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) or Menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
- Sanitary Pad burner/incinierator design
Time to create page: 1.624 seconds