Fast Bio-digester Dustbin for Sanitary Napkin Decomposition in Rural Areas

Abstract

Sanitarynapkinwastepresentsasignificantenvironmentalburdenduetoitsslowdegradationrate,multilayerpolymericstructure,andbiologicalcontamination.Conventionaldisposalpracticessuch as open burning and landfilling release harmful pollutants and create long-term ecological risks. This paper proposes a Bio-Digester Bin engineered to accelerate the decomposition of sanitary napkins through an integrated mechanical–thermal–aeration approach. The system incorporates a shredding mechanismtoincreasesurfacearea,a500Wcontrolledheatingcoilformaintainingoptimaldegradation temperatures,atemperature-sensingrelaymoduleforautomaticthermalregulation,anda12Vaeration unit to support oxygen flow and reduce odor formation. The bio-digester operates on a hybrid power setupusingbothsolarenergyandconventionalsupplytoensure continuous functionality. Experimental results indicate a substantial reduction in decomposition time and waste volume compared to natural degradation. This solution has strong potential for municipal-scale adoption, enabling local bodies to manage sanitary waste more scientifically, sustainably, and with reduced environmental impact.

Introduction

Improper disposal of sanitary napkins poses serious environmental and health challenges, especially in developing countries where scientific waste management systems are limited. Sanitary napkins are semi-biodegradable, composed of cellulose, super-absorbent polymers, and plastics, and are classified as biomedical waste due to the presence of blood and organic matter. Common practices such as open burning and landfilling cause soil and groundwater pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health risks to waste handlers. Recent studies emphasize the need for decentralized, low-cost, and eco-friendly disposal solutions.

This work proposes an engineered Bio-Digester Dustbin for sanitary napkin decomposition that integrates mechanical shredding, controlled heating, and continuous aeration to accelerate degradation. Shredding increases surface area, enabling faster microbial and thermal breakdown. A 500 W heating coil with automatic temperature control maintains optimal conditions (40–60°C), while a 12 V fan provides aeration for aerobic decomposition and odor control. The system operates on a hybrid solar–adapter power supply, ensuring energy efficiency and reliability.

The methodology involves system design, controlled thermal and airflow management, fabrication of an insulated digestion chamber, and experimental trials with different napkin types. Performance is evaluated based on temperature stability, decomposition rate, odor reduction, and energy consumption.

Results show that shredded napkins achieved 60–70% volume reduction within 7–10 days, compared to 30–40% for unshredded waste. Controlled heating and aeration effectively enhanced microbial activity, minimized odors, and ensured hygienic operation. Overall, the study demonstrates that the proposed bio-digester is a safe, low-cost, and sustainable solution for on-site menstrual waste management, supporting improved sanitation and environmentally responsible waste disposal.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the successful design and implementation of a compact bio-digester for the decomposition of sanitary napkins. By integrating shredding, controlled heating, and adequate airflow, the system achieved accelerated decomposition while maintaining hygienic and low-odor conditions. The prototype exhibited reliable performance, reducing the waste volume by up to 70% within 7–10 days under optimal conditions. These results highlight the feasibility of a low-energy, on-site solution for sanitary waste management, addressing both environmental and public health concerns. The work laysafoundationfor futureimprovements,includingscalingthesystemforlargercapacities,enhancing temperature control, and incorporating automated monitoring, thereby contributing to sustainable and efficient waste management practices.

References

[1] “Electricallyoperatedhygienebintosimplifythestageofnapkincomposition”,Diptinkashyap,Roun ak Chowdhury (2021). [2] “Energyproductionviabioconversionofsanitarynapkinwasteusingimmobilized cellulaseson Cu- BTC MOF to bioethanol,Biomass and Bioenergy”, KritikaThakur, Sudarshan Sahu (2025). [3] “AnovelDIYmachinedesigntoobtainsecondaryrawmaterialsfromhygienewaste”,KunalGajanan nandanwar, Divya rathore (2020). [4] “Resource recovery from soiled sanitary napkin waste a state of the art review”, Muhammad Sajeed Abdul Hameed (2024). [5] “BeyondtheBin:Acriticalreviewandstrategicframeworkforsustainablemenstrualwastemanagement in India”, Hema Sudhakar(2025).

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Ahila A, Prathibha K, R Vaishnavi, Shreya G, Yashwanth HC. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.