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Quantifying Menstrual Waste: A 2024–2050 Projection of Volume and Disposal Methods for an Urbanising Population in Nakuru, Kenya
Summary
Researchers surveyed 330 women in Nakuru, Kenya and projected that the city's disposable menstrual product waste will reach 890 metric tons annually by 2049, with disposal routes including pit latrines, dumpsites, and open burning creating escalating risks of groundwater contamination, long-term microplastic pollution, and toxic emissions.
Background: Rapid urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa intensifies solid waste management challenges, yet data on menstrual hygiene waste, a growing component of urban waste streams, remain scarce. Objective: To identify determinants of menstrual material used, quantify volume of menstrual waste generated in Nakuru City, portray disposal methods employed, and using the outcomes, project waste generation trends over 2024–2050. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2023 to March 2024 among 330 women aged 15–49 years. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively using Frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations. Determinants of menstrual product choice were identified using Chi-square tests. Using disposable product usage data and demographic projections, a mathematical model was used to estimate waste quantities from 2024 to 2050. Results: Age emerged as the only statistically significant influence on menstrual hygiene choices, affecting the product used and the number of pads per cycle. Disposable pads were used by 85.5%, with a mean of 12.68 pads. Extrapolation from the study indicated the city generates 355.3 metric tons of menstrual waste annually (1.83 kg per menstruating individual). With urban population growth at 3.74% annually and current product usage patterns, projected menstrual waste will increase to 426.9 metric tons by 2029, and 889.6 metric tons by 2049. Conclusion: Hazardous disposal pathways imply that pit latrines will receive 379.7 tons annually by 2050, with a cumulative amount of 6,791 tons, which will accelerate groundwater contamination risks. Dumpsites will collect 287.6 tons annually by 2050, an accrual of 5,142 tons, causing long-term microplastic pollution, while open burning will release 43.3 tons of toxic emissions annually by 2050, with an amassed weight of 817 tons, exposing communities to carcinogenic dioxins and furans.