Sanitary Pad vs Baby Diaper Waste: Environmental Impact Compared

A Question That Needs to Be Asked

Across campaigns, panel discussions, and social media conversations, the environmental impact of sanitary pads is increasingly under the spotlight. People often raise questions like:

• Are sanitary pads made of plastic
• How long do they take to decompose
• Why aren’t more women switching to cloth pads or menstrual cups

These are valid concerns. Raising environmental awareness around menstrual products is important. But there is another product category that rarely enters the sustainability conversation, even though it has a comparable or even greater impact.

What About Diaper Waste

In India, sanitary pad waste is estimated to be between 1.13 and 1.37 lakh tonnes each year. But baby diapers generate close to 2 lakh tonnes of waste annually. That is almost double the load, and yet the silence around diaper waste remains striking.

According to the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, disposable diapers are among the top three contributors to urban plastic waste, following only packaging and PET bottles. Yet this issue receives far less attention in mainstream conversations, awareness drives, or sustainability campaigns.

An Unequal Burden

There is an underlying imbalance that is rarely addressed. When it comes to menstrual products, women are often told to switch to reusable alternatives for the sake of the environment. But when it comes to baby diapers, there is no widespread public campaign urging parents to switch to cloth nappies.

This reflects a subtle form of selective responsibility. Menstruating women are expected to change their habits in silence, while diaper use remains socially accepted, widely advertised, and rarely questioned. The burden of eco-consciousness, once again, falls largely on women.

Understanding the Context of Choice

It is important to acknowledge that disposable diapers offer convenience to new mothers who are already juggling many responsibilities. Washing cloth nappies multiple times a day is time-consuming and physically demanding. Choosing diapers is often a practical decision, not an irresponsible one.

However, that same empathy is rarely extended to menstruating women. Using disposable pads is often the most hygienic, accessible, and comfortable option available, especially in low-resource settings. But public messaging around menstrual waste tends to be more critical, more moralistic, and more visible.

The Role of Industry and Visibility

Menstrual hygiene, as a topic, has become more open and visible over the years. Campaigns around pads and cups are now socially acceptable and can be championed by brands and NGOs alike. On the other hand, baby diaper waste is deeply tied to powerful corporate supply chains and marketing. Addressing it publicly is often seen as less convenient or less PR-friendly.

As a result, awareness remains lopsided. Menstrual products are framed as the problem, while the environmental impact of diapers continues to grow unchecked.

Towards a Balanced and Honest Conversation

This blog is not about blaming any product or group of people. Sanitary pads and baby diapers both serve essential roles. They provide comfort, dignity, and convenience in different phases of life.

The point is not to ban or shame. The point is to ask for fairness.

If we are serious about plastic waste and environmental sustainability, then we must broaden the conversation. We must look at all sources of waste, not just the ones that are easier to talk about. And we must ensure that responsibility is shared, not selectively assigned.

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Where Do We Go from Here

At Pinkishe Foundation, we work to promote menstrual health and hygiene with sensitivity and realism. We advocate for education, accessibility, and informed choice. And we believe that all discussions about sustainability must include both transparency and equity.

If the goal is to reduce waste and protect the planet, then let us talk about everything that matters. Not just what is convenient or comfortable to address.

Join the Conversation

Do you think diaper waste deserves more attention in sustainability campaigns
Have you come across solutions or innovations in this space
We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, and ideas. Open dialogue is the first step toward creating balanced, meaningful impact.

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