Sanitary products - a disposable/single-use/reusable product that hygienically aids a person during their menstrual cycle. For example, disposable pad/liners and tampons (single-use). Period underwear, menstrual cups, cloth bamboo pads/liners, cloth diapers (reusable).

Incontinence products - a disposable/single-use/reusable product that hygienically aids a person with incontinence issues. For example, disposable underwear pads, furniture pads, diapers (single-use). Urinary sheaths, catheters, furniture pads, leak proof underwear (reusable).

This project is a feasibility study which will produce a recommendation and report, it is not an implementation program. Following this study, Sustainability Victoria will open new grant funding rounds for the implementation of programs, including those recommended in feasibility studies.

The scope of this study does not include compostable sanitary/incontinence products.

The funding provided by Sustainability Victoria is to increase the use of reusable items in our economy. There are no certified compostable sanitary/incontinence products on the market in Australia.

Compostable sanitary/incontinence products are not accepted by any Australian Council composting contractors (lime-green lidded bin), and users can be confused about how to compost them.

Commercial composters do not accept any sanitary/incontinence products in their organic facility and marketing them as compostable is misleading as they still go to landfill.

The funding provided by Sustainability Victoria is to increase the use of reusable items in our economy. The scope of this study does include assessment for sanitary/incontinence products washing needs for carers or care facilities. The scope of this study does not include sanitary/incontinence products washing collection and washing services for residents.

This study is focused on people who use sanitary/incontinence products as the target audience. The scope of this study does not include baby nappies for toilet training needs, this is a different audience.

660 million disposable sanitary/incontinence products are buried in Australian landfills every year. The average person who menstruates will have between 450-500 periods over their lifetime.

Incontinence can affect any person, with 1 in 4 people aged 15 and over experiencing bladder/bowel issues.

This results in a large amount of waste per person if relying on disposable items only.

Council recognises that as this group of residents contribute to a large amount of waste; we can play a role in supporting people who use sanitary/incontinence aids to use reusable products instead.

(What is incontinence? | The Facts | Continence Foundation of Australia)

(Reusable sanitary products brochure_DL.indd (bendigo.vic.gov.au))

Reusable sanitary/incontinence products have changed a lot since the days of cloth items. Product innovation has seen changes to the design, look and ease of use in modern reusable sanitary/incontinence products. These items can now be absorbent, prevent leakage and are comfortable and gentle.

This study will look at how to encourage people to use reusable sanitary/incontinence products and prioritise products which are easy and appealing for use.

We would love to hear from people who have used reusable sanitary/incontinence products, and those that haven’t to understand why. Each Council will be promoting the opportunity to provide feedback, which will take place over the next six months.

Sustainability Victoria has awarded up to $80,000 in funding to complete the study. Each participating Council will provide in-kind project management support (including, organising procurement, communications, community consultation, etc.)

Each participating Council has indicated they could commit up to $4,000 if the project requires additional financial input.

Some Councils in Melbourne do offer different types of support, usually rebates and education about reusable products. This study will review those programs to recommend which model supports people who wouldn’t normally use reusable sanitary/incontinence products.

The study will also measure and evaluate waste reduction and recommend a model that can be adopted by Councils across Victoria, making it easy to promote, administer and access, whilst reducing waste to landfill, and increasing the use of reusable sanitary/incontinence products.

The Recycling Victoria Policy is working towards standardising waste services across Victoria and this study could recommend a program model that could be adopted across the state. We know that as families grow, they often need to move house, and there is often a need to be able to access similar programs across Melbourne.

The study will evaluate and recommend ways to keep reusable sanitary/incontinence products in use until the end of their life.

We would only like to hear from residents of the participating Councils, as we have designed the study to reflect our diverse demographics. The participating Councils reflect inner city and outer metropolitan areas, capturing diverse socio-economic areas, housing and household make ups.

The participating Councils will be seeking input from residents in proportion to the resident population of each participating Council.

Once the study is complete, other Councils are welcome to adopt the recommendations.

Given that reusable sanitary/incontinence products have changed and continue to change rapidly, we would only like to hear from people that have used these products in the last five years, to ensure feedback relates to the range of reusable sanitary/incontinence products currently available.

We are interested in connecting with organisations and businesses that have customers who use sanitary or incontinence products, to ensure we get good participation in our research. Please contact Jessica Phillips, Waste Education Officer, at environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au if you would like to know more.