Japan’s popular beef bowl chain, Sukiya, has temporarily closed nearly 2,000 outlets after reports of rats and cockroaches in its food. The move comes as a major sanitary measure, sparking concerns among customers. Watch this report to know more!

Japan’s Sukiya shuts 2,000 stores over hygiene concerns

India, where not even 50 per cent women use disposable sanitary napkins, annually generates around 3.37 lakh tonnes of waste from sanitary napkins and baby diapers.

The report "Sanitary Waste Management in India: Challenges and Agenda" released by India's environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment estimates that India’s consolidated daily generation of sanitary napkins and baby diaper waste, is approximately 925 tonnes, which accounts for 0.65 per cent of total solid waste.

If adult diapers, tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and similar waste, are added to the 0.65 per cent mentioned above, it may go up to 4 percent of the total solid waste generated in India, which is 141,000 tonnes per day.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ban-on-import-of-key-materials-to-produce-sanitary-napkins-is-forcing-pakistani-women-to-go-pad-less-482509">Ban on import of key materials to produce sanitary napkins is forcing Pakistani women to go pad-less</a>

According to the Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India (MHAI), 336 million girls and women of reproductive age in India use about 1 billion sanitary napkins per month, or 12.3 billion sanitary napkins annually.

However, there is no adequate mechanism to dispose of this waste, the report said.

Due to unorganised sanitary waste management in cities and villages, poor source segregation, and inadequate collection, transportation, and disposal networks, most sanitary waste ends up in landfills mixed with solid waste or dumped openly, posing significant health and environmental hazards.

According to the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), sanitary napkins and diapers are included in the definition of dry waste in the SWM Rules, 2016.

As per SWM rules, every waste generator must collect and segregate all waste into three categories: biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and domestic hazardous waste.

In the case of sanitary waste, the waste generator must wrap the used product in the manufacturer’s pouches or any other suitable wrapping material as directed by the local authorities and collect it with other non-biodegradable waste.

The guidelines of India's top pollution watchdog, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), urge users to dispose of sanitary waste in the wrapper provided by the manufacturer or use newspaper to wrap it.

Watch |&nbsp;Spain to allow menstrual leaves: Which other countries are doing so?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-to-allow-menstrual-leaves-which-other-countries-are-doing-so-478882/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines, sanitary napkins and diapers must be separated, specially marked, and sent to a biomedical waste facility for incineration.

Speaking to WION, Shailshree Tewari, Programming Officer, CSE and the author of the report, said sanitary napkins are not being considered as bio-medical waste in India, which is leading to a lot of problems in their disposal.

She said that there are also inadequate incinerators in India to dispose of sanitary napkins.

A sanitary napkin incinerator disposes of napkins in an environmentally friendly method by burning the pads and converting them into ash.

Tewari said that besides the inadequate number of incinerators in India, the ones available are inconsistent and many do not even meet the emission standards prescribed by the CPCB.

What is even more concerning is that there is no provision for a penalty for not complying with the guidelines, she added.

"While CPCB’s guidelines are legally enforceable, a lack of standards for small-scale incinerators attracts no penalty." Tenders for the purpose of procurement of decentralised incinerators that are publicly available also reflect the same concern, "Tewari said."&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/may-28-time-to-shift-focus-to-womens-health-menstrual-hygiene-482748">&nbsp;May 28: Time to shift focus to women’s health, menstrual hygiene</a>

She said there is a dearth of awareness and organized sanitary waste disposal infrastructure and disposal practices in rural and urban locations vary greatly.

In parts of India, women dispose of their sanitary napkins or cloth in drains and potholes; some who are uncomfortable disposing of sanitary napkins in public flush them in toilets.

Many women do not use dustbins because they think it might bring them disgrace as waste collectors might think poorly of them if they notice soiled napkins, the report said.

As per the report, 41.8 per cent of women in the age group of 15–24 use disposable sanitary napkins while 16.4 per cent use locally produced napkins.

Assuming a one-month-old infant uses 10 diapers a day—or 300 diapers per month—a single one-month-old baby could generate around 3,600 used diapers every year, it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-menstrual-hygiene-day-how-women-have-managed-periods-throughout-history-482520">Menstrual Hygiene Day: How women have managed periods throughout history</a>

According to the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 25 million children are born in India each year, and the average weight of a soiled diaper is 800 grams. Hence, India generates approximately 548 tonnes of baby diaper waste per day, or 2 lakh tonnes annually.

However, in the last four years, more women have started using sanitary napkins in the states of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, the report found.

India, where not even 50 per cent women use disposable sanitary napkins, annually generates around 3.37 lakh tonnes of waste from sanitary napkins and baby diapers.

India, where not even 50 per cent women use disposable sanitary napkins, annually generates around 3.37 lakh tonnes of waste from sanitary napkins and baby diapers. The report "Sanitary Waste Management in India: Challenges and Agenda" released by India's environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment estimates that India’s consolidated daily generation of sanitary napkins and baby diaper waste, is approximately 925 tonnes, which accounts for 0.65 per cent of total solid waste. If adult diapers, tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and similar waste, are added to the 0.65 per cent mentioned above, it may go up to 4 percent of the total solid waste generated in India, which is 141,000 tonnes per day. Also read | Ban on import of key materials to produce sanitary napkins is forcing Pakistani women to go pad-less According to the Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India (MHAI), 336 million girls and women of reproductive age in India use about 1 billion sanitary napkins per month, or 12.3 billion sanitary napkins annually. However, there is no adequate mechanism to dispose of this waste, the report said. Due to unorganised sanitary waste management in cities and villages, poor source segregation, and inadequate collection, transportation, and disposal networks, most sanitary waste ends up in landfills mixed with solid waste or dumped openly, posing significant health and environmental hazards. According to the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), sanitary napkins and diapers are included in the definition of dry waste in the SWM Rules, 2016. As per SWM rules, every waste generator must collect and segregate all waste into three categories: biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and domestic hazardous waste. In the case of sanitary waste, the waste generator must wrap the used product in the manufacturer’s pouches or any other suitable wrapping material as directed by the local authorities and collect it with other non-biodegradable waste. The guidelines of India's top pollution watchdog, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), urge users to dispose of sanitary waste in the wrapper provided by the manufacturer or use newspaper to wrap it. Watch | Spain to allow menstrual leaves: Which other countries are doing so? Under the Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines, sanitary napkins and diapers must be separated, specially marked, and sent to a biomedical waste facility for incineration. Speaking to WION, Shailshree Tewari, Programming Officer, CSE and the author of the report, said sanitary napkins are not being considered as bio-medical waste in India, which is leading to a lot of problems in their disposal. She said that there are also inadequate incinerators in India to dispose of sanitary napkins. A sanitary napkin incinerator disposes of napkins in an environmentally friendly method by burning the pads and converting them into ash. Tewari said that besides the inadequate number of incinerators in India, the ones available are inconsistent and many do not even meet the emission standards prescribed by the CPCB. What is even more concerning is that there is no provision for a penalty for not complying with the guidelines, she added. "While CPCB’s guidelines are legally enforceable, a lack of standards for small-scale incinerators attracts no penalty." Tenders for the purpose of procurement of decentralised incinerators that are publicly available also reflect the same concern, "Tewari said." Also read | May 28: Time to shift focus to women’s health, menstrual hygiene She said there is a dearth of awareness and organized sanitary waste disposal infrastructure and disposal practices in rural and urban locations vary greatly. In parts of India, women dispose of their sanitary napkins or cloth in drains and potholes; some who are uncomfortable disposing of sanitary napkins in public flush them in toilets. Many women do not use dustbins because they think it might bring them disgrace as waste collectors might think poorly of them if they notice soiled napkins, the report said. As per the report, 41.8 per cent of women in the age group of 15–24 use disposable sanitary napkins while 16.4 per cent use locally produced napkins. Assuming a one-month-old infant uses 10 diapers a day—or 300 diapers per month—a single one-month-old baby could generate around 3,600 used diapers every year, it said. Also read | Menstrual Hygiene Day: How women have managed periods throughout history According to the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 25 million children are born in India each year, and the average weight of a soiled diaper is 800 grams. Hence, India generates approximately 548 tonnes of baby diaper waste per day, or 2 lakh tonnes annually. However, in the last four years, more women have started using sanitary napkins in the states of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, the report found.

India annually generates over 3 lakh tonnes of waste from sanitary napkins and baby diapers: Report

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

In the Phase I, 48 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of Sonipat and Panipat districts of Haryana. These camps were held between June 2018 and March 2019 to create awareness about the importance of healthcare and hygiene among 2,000 households.&nbsp;

Around 23 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of UP – Durana, Sirsad, Ramghar, Mandi, Naulhta and Gohana in the Mobile Health Camps Phase II. &nbsp;

Be it students, youth, women or farmers, all sections of the society in these areas took active participation in these camps. Over 1,700 patients were treated in these camps this year.&nbsp;

Established in 2015, Mobius Foundation has been catering to the long-standing demands of basic healthcare facilities of different communities. &nbsp;

Considering it as the need of the hour, Mobius Foundation has been making concerted efforts to ensure these camps are successfully able to bring a positive change in the society.&nbsp;

Through different projects, Mobius Foundation aims to instil a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst Indian citizens. “Through these camps, the foundation is looking at the larger objective of creating awareness about health and hygiene amongst the villagers, which will ultimately lead to happiness and well-being,” said Pradip Burman, chairman, Mobius Foundation.&nbsp;

With education, environment and population stabilisation as its core focus, the Mobius Foundation is committed to support environmental sustainability, strengthening systems with empowering technologies and encouraging healthy behaviour.&nbsp;

To instil the importance of sustainable consciousness in Indian citizens, Mobius Foundation looks to collaborate with a diverse range of public and civil partners.&nbsp;

The Mobius Foundation is leaving no stone unturned to make sound health as the basis of the overall well-being of a person.

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

With the aim to encourage the need to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene, Mobius Foundation organised several mobile health camps in two phases in the remote areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. In the Phase I, 48 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of Sonipat and Panipat districts of Haryana. These camps were held between June 2018 and March 2019 to create awareness about the importance of healthcare and hygiene among 2,000 households. Around 23 mobile health camps were organised in the remote areas of UP – Durana, Sirsad, Ramghar, Mandi, Naulhta and Gohana in the Mobile Health Camps Phase II. Be it students, youth, women or farmers, all sections of the society in these areas took active participation in these camps. Over 1,700 patients were treated in these camps this year. Established in 2015, Mobius Foundation has been catering to the long-standing demands of basic healthcare facilities of different communities. Considering it as the need of the hour, Mobius Foundation has been making concerted efforts to ensure these camps are successfully able to bring a positive change in the society. Through different projects, Mobius Foundation aims to instil a sense of responsibility for the environment amongst Indian citizens. “Through these camps, the foundation is looking at the larger objective of creating awareness about health and hygiene amongst the villagers, which will ultimately lead to happiness and well-being,” said Pradip Burman, chairman, Mobius Foundation. With education, environment and population stabilisation as its core focus, the Mobius Foundation is committed to support environmental sustainability, strengthening systems with empowering technologies and encouraging healthy behaviour. To instil the importance of sustainable consciousness in Indian citizens, Mobius Foundation looks to collaborate with a diverse range of public and civil partners. The Mobius Foundation is leaving no stone unturned to make sound health as the basis of the overall well-being of a person.

Mobile health camps held to sensitise people over healthcare, hygiene

Practices that will fit in the 'new normal' lifestyle as governments ease lockdown

Who are today’s “the Moon” and “the Sun”? The students start to gather. Some are busy sweeping, some are watering the plants, some are arranging the sound box, and so on, as they are in the school. Once you step inside the school, you can feel the warmth in the morning hours.&nbsp;

Now, slowly, the teachers start to gather too. They’re all coming for the school assembly. A group of students are helping to organise the other students into a proper queue. These students are also helping other students to dress properly, helping them in combing their hair, getting their shirts tucked in, checking that their nails are cut a proper length, and so on.

As the final call for the assembly is aired, some children come running, gasping for air, until they settle in organised rows. There is a small group leading the assembly. The state anthem, a song of Bihar, rings in the assembly, as students sing along. I notice that some students are trying to be more attentive, shutting their eyes. The procedure is going on for quite some time, continuing for the next 20 minutes in total synchronisation.&nbsp;

It features different activities, like story-telling, sharing thoughts of the day, doing a quiz, reading the news – and a selection of “Chanda and Suraj”.&nbsp;

That sounds different. “Chanda” means Moon and “Suraj” means Sun in Hindi and other Indian languages. But in this context, the Moon and the Sun do not play a mythical or special role but serve as an example. Here, the selection of “Chanda” and “Suraj” identifies two children for the day in the school who are the most well-dressed among all. The selection happens every single day during the morning assembly.&nbsp;

This recognition acts as a motivation and positive reinforcement for the other students to be well-dressed. Rounds of applause and the crown on their heads act as a morale booster for the school.&nbsp;

Initiating the idea of cleanliness and hygiene is an important task for the students in the school. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has launched this approach as a part of the school health and hygiene programme. Quest Alliance, through their  Anandshala programme, is tackling it in a more participatory way. They engage the students in the process of selection and coming out with innovative ways of recognising and awarding the students to reinforce health and hygiene. Creative activities about the school’s health and hygiene practices help the students be more inclined towards their school activities and practices in general. As a result, students are trying to maintain good hygiene and come to school enthusiastically.&nbsp;

The schools are framing their vision towards the school hygiene projects, which is binding the students towards the school activities. The students are imbibing the healthy habits, like washing hands before meals.&nbsp;

Hand washing is fun now! For example, in the Government Middle School Waini of Samastipur in Bihar, the students have initiated a Soap Bank to create a repository of soaps to bridge the gap of resources. This soap bank has come up with the contribution from the students and teachers of the school, as in one soap per students and five soaps per teachers. Simultaneously, going back home the students are sparking the healthy habit in their communities. This ultimately bridges the gap between the students, the school and the community. “The children are now asking for soaps to wash their hands”, says the Health and Hygiene Minister of the school.&nbsp;

With time, students in public schools in Samastipur, Bihar, are including the school cleanliness programme on their yearly agenda. They are now raising their voices about sanitation issues in the school and trying to come up with solutions for it. Along with the basic cleaning before the morning assembly, they are demanding clean toilets, repairing of the infrastructure, running water facilities, safe drinking water stations, and hand washing stations in their schools. These messages are being carried back to the community. They are also initiating the hygiene practices back in their community, just like encouraging to wash hands before having meals.&nbsp;

They are asking their parents to get them in proper dress-up before coming to school. The community is also attending the parents and teachers meetings to discuss the matters of sanitation and hygiene practice and water crisis in the school. They are paying attention to the trial for innovations in the school. They are developing the motivation towards their school.&nbsp;

Anandshala is playing a significant role in mobilising students in creating changes in the public schools of Samastipur in Bihar. They involve the students in flag discussions and foster creative thinking about their school.&nbsp;

Partnering with the school teachers and headteachers, they are integrating the students into the school development activities. They are also creating a platform and recognising the changes happening in the school with the District Education Department of the government of Bihar.&nbsp;

The students are now also feeling the connect towards their school. These approaches are helping them and especially the girls to stay back in the school – even on their menstruation. This is assuring them to stay back and ensuring the attendance level in the school. Slowly, the students are gathering confidence about their school and building the ownership of their school.

Thereby, it is helping to bridge the gap between the students and the school and also with the community. 
 
(A previous version of this article was originally published by the American India Foundation) 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Who are today’s “the Moon” and “the Sun”? The students start to gather. Some are busy sweeping, some are watering the plants, some are arranging the sound box, and so on, as they are in the school.

Who are today’s “the Moon” and “the Sun”? The students start to gather. Some are busy sweeping, some are watering the plants, some are arranging the sound box, and so on, as they are in the school. Once you step inside the school, you can feel the warmth in the morning hours. Now, slowly, the teachers start to gather too. They’re all coming for the school assembly. A group of students are helping to organise the other students into a proper queue. These students are also helping other students to dress properly, helping them in combing their hair, getting their shirts tucked in, checking that their nails are cut a proper length, and so on. As the final call for the assembly is aired, some children come running, gasping for air, until they settle in organised rows. There is a small group leading the assembly. The state anthem, a song of Bihar, rings in the assembly, as students sing along. I notice that some students are trying to be more attentive, shutting their eyes. The procedure is going on for quite some time, continuing for the next 20 minutes in total synchronisation. It features different activities, like story-telling, sharing thoughts of the day, doing a quiz, reading the news – and a selection of “Chanda and Suraj”. That sounds different. “Chanda” means Moon and “Suraj” means Sun in Hindi and other Indian languages. But in this context, the Moon and the Sun do not play a mythical or special role but serve as an example. Here, the selection of “Chanda” and “Suraj” identifies two children for the day in the school who are the most well-dressed among all. The selection happens every single day during the morning assembly. This recognition acts as a motivation and positive reinforcement for the other students to be well-dressed. Rounds of applause and the crown on their heads act as a morale booster for the school. Initiating the idea of cleanliness and hygiene is an important task for the students in the school. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has launched this approach as a part of the school health and hygiene programme. Quest Alliance, through their  Anandshala programme, is tackling it in a more participatory way. They engage the students in the process of selection and coming out with innovative ways of recognising and awarding the students to reinforce health and hygiene. Creative activities about the school’s health and hygiene practices help the students be more inclined towards their school activities and practices in general. As a result, students are trying to maintain good hygiene and come to school enthusiastically. The schools are framing their vision towards the school hygiene projects, which is binding the students towards the school activities. The students are imbibing the healthy habits, like washing hands before meals. Hand washing is fun now! For example, in the Government Middle School Waini of Samastipur in Bihar, the students have initiated a Soap Bank to create a repository of soaps to bridge the gap of resources. This soap bank has come up with the contribution from the students and teachers of the school, as in one soap per students and five soaps per teachers. Simultaneously, going back home the students are sparking the healthy habit in their communities. This ultimately bridges the gap between the students, the school and the community. “The children are now asking for soaps to wash their hands”, says the Health and Hygiene Minister of the school. With time, students in public schools in Samastipur, Bihar, are including the school cleanliness programme on their yearly agenda. They are now raising their voices about sanitation issues in the school and trying to come up with solutions for it. Along with the basic cleaning before the morning assembly, they are demanding clean toilets, repairing of the infrastructure, running water facilities, safe drinking water stations, and hand washing stations in their schools. These messages are being carried back to the community. They are also initiating the hygiene practices back in their community, just like encouraging to wash hands before having meals. They are asking their parents to get them in proper dress-up before coming to school. The community is also attending the parents and teachers meetings to discuss the matters of sanitation and hygiene practice and water crisis in the school. They are paying attention to the trial for innovations in the school. They are developing the motivation towards their school. Anandshala is playing a significant role in mobilising students in creating changes in the public schools of Samastipur in Bihar. They involve the students in flag discussions and foster creative thinking about their school. Partnering with the school teachers and headteachers, they are integrating the students into the school development activities. They are also creating a platform and recognising the changes happening in the school with the District Education Department of the government of Bihar. The students are now also feeling the connect towards their school. These approaches are helping them and especially the girls to stay back in the school – even on their menstruation. This is assuring them to stay back and ensuring the attendance level in the school. Slowly, the students are gathering confidence about their school and building the ownership of their school. Thereby, it is helping to bridge the gap between the students and the school and also with the community. (A previous version of this article was originally published by the American India Foundation) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Blog: Students creating awareness about hygiene

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