Tata Steel Travel Fund Starts Handing Out Free Biodegradable Sanitary Pads
Founded by Tata Steel, TSAF is the first organization in India to launch a new green initiative to provide biodegradable sanitary pads to all women participating in outdoor courses and expeditions. About this reported at the press service of the metallurgical company on Friday, December 10th.
The Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) is committed to achieving zero waste in tourist camps and minimizing impacts on biodiversity, the company said. All camps and activities at TSAF are committed to zero waste, where they are all either minimized, reused or recycled.
“TSAF's new biodegradable sanitary napkin initiative is a welcome step towards sustainable mountain tourism and feminine hygiene. Our goal is to protect and preserve one of the most beautiful mountaineering destinations in the world. Sanitary napkins during expeditions are often thrown into ponds, rivers and lakes, polluting water bodies, or thrown out into the open, which in turn pollutes the soil and endangers wildlife around them. The introduction of biodegradable sanitary pads will help TSAF members achieve zero waste on group routes and expeditions, ”commented Bachendri Pal, mentor of the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest on May 23, 1984.
Every year, the Himalayas attract about seven thousand tourists from all over the world. The rise in tourism has led to an increase in waste, the main component of which is plastic, which not only poisons picturesque mountain landscapes, but can lead, among other things, to land degradation, air pollution and destabilization of mountain slopes. However, the main problem the teams face is the used sanitary napkins, which are either burned or buried in landfills, which in turn endangers wildlife or contributes to CO2 emissions.
To address this issue, TSAF has decided to distribute free organic, biodegradable sanitary towels that decompose naturally when buried underground.
In the future, TSAF will inspire other organizations to use organic sanitary pads and follow suit. The campaign will also encourage women to go out and explore without worrying about menstruation.