As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month begins, new research highlights a critical gap in public and workplace facilities: a lack of male sanitary bins in the UK.
Despite prostate cancer affecting one in eight men and many experiencing incontinence as a result, only 9% of businesses surveyed confirmed they provide a male sanitary bin in their toilets.
Sanitary waste collection company BusinessWaste.co.uk conducted the research and is now offering free male sanitary bins to businesses willing to install them, aiming to remove barriers to adoption and improve accessibility.
Why Do Men Need Sanitary Bins?
Prostate cancer treatment can lead to urinary incontinence, with around 70% of men experiencing bladder control issues six months after prostate gland removal. While many recover within a year, some suffer long-term effects. Additionally, more than 10% of men over 65 experience incontinence due to conditions such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate.
Men who use sanitary products to manage incontinence often struggle to find suitable disposal options. Unlike female and unisex bathrooms, male toilets are not legally required to have sanitary bins, leaving many without a dignified way to dispose of used products. This can lead to embarrassment, social withdrawal or even improper disposal, such as flushing, which can cause plumbing issues.
A Nationwide Shortfall in Facilities
While awareness is growing and some major organisations — such as Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium and Thameslink trains — have installed male sanitary bins, provision remains inconsistent across the country.
BusinessWaste.co.uk contacted 25,448 locations across various sectors, including retailers, fast food chains, pubs, cinemas and service stations, to assess the availability of male sanitary bins. Their findings revealed:
- 10,157 locations did not have a male sanitary bin
- Only 1,089 locations confirmed they provide one
- 14,202 locations either could not confirm or did not respond
Why Businesses Should Act
Installing male sanitary bins ensures customers and employees have access to essential facilities, promoting dignity and convenience. It also prevents sanitary waste from entering general waste streams or being flushed, reducing the risk of blockages and expensive maintenance issues.
To encourage businesses to take action, BusinessWaste.co.uk is offering free male sanitary bins — businesses only need to cover the collection cost. As a waste management broker with more than 15,000 customers across the UK, the company hopes to improve accessibility and drive change.
Charities Supporting the Campaign
Prostate Cancer UK is one of the leading charities backing the issue. Its Boys Need Bins campaign raises awareness and encourages people to push for change by contacting MPs, councillors and businesses.
Mark Hall, sanitary waste expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said it was clear that male sanitary bins were lacking across the UK. But, he said, “it’s likely this is simply due to a lack of awareness, with many businesses — and the general public — not recognising that men also need sanitary bins. It’s not common knowledge that many men may also have a need to dispose of sanitary waste.
“Luckily, adding a sanitary bin to a business premises is a simple fix which we believe many could easily do. We want to make this as easy and cost-effective as possible by providing free bins to any business that wants to add male sanitary bins to their locations.
Hall said he believed that raising awareness could make a change that would positively affect many men.