SwachhTadhoot Foundation addresses the issue of unsafe disposal of sanitary waste through its Red Dot Awareness initiative. Every day, waste-pickers in Ulhasnagar manage large quantities of soiled sanitary pads and diapers as part of household waste, often without any protective packaging.
This program educates the public about the serious health risks waste-pickers face when handling unwrapped sanitary waste, which can contain harmful pathogens like staphylococcus, hepatitis, E. coli, and salmonella. Beyond health concerns, it also draws attention to the lack of dignity and safety in their work environment.
To tackle this, SwachhTadhoot promotes the use of clearly marked and safely wrapped sanitary waste—encouraging residents to mark such waste with a red dot and dispose of it responsibly. The initiative empowers communities to contribute to safer, more dignified working conditions for waste-pickers while protecting the environment.