Biodegradable hygiene pads based on water hyacinth will help preserve nature

In a casual conversation, researcher Pooja Singh and two colleagues were discussing the idea of developing biodegradable sanitary pads and began pondering what raw materials to use.

Singh suggested studying water hyacinth, a plant that can be devastating to the natural ecosystem by blocking sunlight and reducing fish populations in lakes and rivers where it spreads rapidly.

“In my lab, we are trying to solve the problem of hyacinth infestation of water reservoirs in India,” she told SciDev.Net. “I am saddened to see these plants infesting lakes and rivers where they spread rapidly.”

This informal conversation, she said, “opened up a new perspective for hyacinth waste management.”

Singh is an assistant professor at the Symbiosis Waste Resource Management Center in Pune. She is one of two winners of this year’s Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge for her work on biodegradable sanitary products.

The award was made at the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference held in India in March.

Singh’s winning project focused on using local materials, including water hyacinth, to produce eco-friendly sanitary pads. The project addressed various issues such as reducing water pollution, recycling plastic waste, improving menstrual hygiene, empowering women in rural communities and promoting women’s financial independence.

Singh’s research team worked using a “turn trash into wealth” approach, aiming to turn waste into products that were environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Conventional sanitary pads often consist of synthetic polymers and other plastic layers that are non-biodegradable and contain toxins and cancer-causing compounds, Singh explained.

“In the absence of a reliable biomedical waste collection and disposal system, these plastic-rich materials end up in open dumps, landfills and water bodies,” she added.

The researcher believes that her eco-friendly sanitary pads can help reduce the use of conventional hygiene products by reducing the amount of plastic waste in the environment.

Singh said she contacted a non-profit organization from India called Swachhatapukare Foundation while creating the project.

This organization uses water hyacinth to make sari (a traditional Indian garment) and in the process empowers women in the local community to create their own source of income.

“It was very inspiring…. We decided to bring in this organization to help us on our journey and conduct educational workshops for women’s communities,” says Singh.

Working in environmental biotechnology, Singh took a break after earning her doctorate to raise her two children and resumed her career only after the children became more independent. She said she is grateful to the Symbiosis Center for giving her the opportunity to resume her scientific work and benefit women.

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Published: 14.04.2025

Updated: 14.04.2025

Medical author, Medical editor:

Stepan Yuk

Medical expert:

PhD. Olexandr Voznyak