Are you trying to find out how to dispose of tampons discreetly and quickly? Then take a look at the best method coming up in this article.
Do not flush tampons. To dispose of a tampon wrap it in toilet tissue then place it in a waste bin. If you are in a public restroom, there should be a bin specially marked for sanitary waste.
Disposing of tampons doesn’t have to be awkward or an embarrassing thing to do. Take a look at how you should dispose of yours coming up next.
Disposing of Tampons Safely
Tampons and their applicators come into contact with blood. This makes them human waste so they cannot be recycled.
This also means that they could pose a danger to others. So what can you do to get rid of them in a way that is safe for everyone?
The most important thing to remember is that you should never flush tampons.
This is because they can cause plumbing issues and clog your toilet. And the last thing you want is to look at a bloody tampon later on in the day that you thought you’d seen the back of.
Or worse, if someone else should find it.
So what can you do with them? Here are 3 easy tips:
- Wrap your tampons in toilet tissue and then place them in a garbage can
- Put the applicators and their wrappers in a garbage can too
- Once you have finished with a box of tampons, you can recycle it. The box they came in is the only thing that you can recycle.
Disposing of Tampons in Public
So you’re out and about and find yourself having to use a public restroom. Great.
Now, what will you do to get rid of your tampon? The quickest and most tempting thing to do is to simply flush the tampon down the toilet.
But please, don’t do that! Tampons can clog toilets and wreak havoc on plumbing systems.
What should you do with your tampons then when you are in a public restroom? Most public restrooms have a sanctuary waste bin inside each cubicle.
That way, you can wrap your tampon in some toilet tissue and then throw it in the bin. Discreet and out of the way.
If you’re unsure about whether the public restroom you’re in has a sanitary waste facility, it is best to check before you remove your tampon.
That way you won’t have to walk up and down with it in your hand while looking for a bin. There should be at least one cubicle in the restroom with a sanitary bin.
If there isn’t you will have to dispose of it in the paper towel bin by the sink.
Tampon Disposal at a Friends
The worst has happened. You’ve got your period and you’re not at home. Now, what are you going to do to dispose of your tampon? Don’t panic.
Getting rid of it doesn’t have to be as traumatizing as you might think.
The worst thing that can happen is that you go into your friends’ bathroom and there isn’t a garbage can in there. Now what? You could go ask for one but that could be a little embarrassing.
Flushing the tampon is definitely not an option. It could clog the toilet and that would be even worse! So, what should you do?
The best thing to do is to plan ahead. Before you go to the bathroom, take your bag and a little plastic bag with you.
That way, you can be sure you’ll have somewhere to deposit the tampon if there isn’t a bin in the bathroom. Simply wrap it in toilet tissue then pop it in the plastic bag. As soon as you see a garbage can, ditch it.
Things to Remember
There are a couple of things to remember when disposing of tampons that will help to keep others safe.
These things will also help you to have a stress-free period and one that will not draw any unnecessary attention.
Here’s what you should bear in mind when disposing of your tampons.
- Tampons and tampon applicators are classed as human waste. This means that they cannot be recycled. The only thing that you can recycle is the box that the tampons came in. If there is an instruction pamphlet inside the box, you can also recycle that once you have finished with it.
- If you are looking to do something for the environment, why not try a reusable form of sanitary hygiene? You could try a menstrual cup or even period underwear.
- Tampons begin to smell after a few days. Try to dispose of them as soon as possible. If you are putting your tampons in a waste bin, empty it once a day or every two days at most.
- Tampons pose a risk to others. Therefore, you should wrap them carefully before disposing of them. This helps to prevent others from touching them. Wrapping them in a couple of layers of toilet paper will also help to keep them discreet and out of the way. This will also prevent them from smelling.
- You should change your tampon regularly. You should not leave them in any longer than 8 hours. The average use time for a tampon is 4 to 8 hours. If the tampon becomes full in less than 4 hours, you should try a higher absorbency. If it is still empty after 8 hours you should try a lower absorbency or even a sanitary towel.
Final Thoughts
Working out how to dispose of tampons can be a little bit awkward. But as you have seen in this article, you can get rid of yours without anyone having to know that you are on your period.
Tampons are very discreet, so simply wrap yours in toilet tissue, place it in the garbage and you’re done.
Oh, and one last thing to remember, as tempting as it might be, never flush your tampons!
