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Sanitary waste and microplastic pollution in the Euro-Mediterranean region: challenges and solutions
Summary
This review examines the largely overlooked microplastic pollution generated by sanitary waste products—napkins, diapers, and tampons—which collectively exceed two billion tons per year globally and contain non-biodegradable plastics that can persist for up to 800 years. The findings highlight a critical gap in waste management policy and call for eco-friendly degradation techniques to address a significant but under-regulated source of microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.
Sanitary waste includes sanitary napkins, diapers, tampons, menstrual waste, bandages, and other incontinence products. It is an important yet overlooked phase of waste management. Globally¸ the amount of sanitary waste produced per year is more than 2 billion tons; most of it is contributed by single-use sanitary napkins and diapers¸ which consist of non-biodegradable components and can decompose for up to 800 years. The universal sanitary products market was valued at approximately USD 12,000 million in 2021 and is expected to reach approximately USD 20,000 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period of 2021–2030. Various classifications of plastics have been documented in the Euro- Mediterranean countries, and the physicochemical characteristics of these sanitary waste polymers significantly influence the interactions occurring between these plastic particulates and other organic materials within aquatic environments. An ecologically friendly landfill should take on programmatic relevance for the long-term management of this trash in the environment. The amount of aquatic sanitary waste generated is far greater than expected. Therefore, this review discusses ecologically friendly sustainable techniques for the degradation of sanitary waste napkins¸ and management is essential. Additionally, addressing these gaps is critical to advancing sustainable practices and reducing the environmental footprint of sanitary waste in the environment. This paper also delves into the causes, challenges, and some of the sustainable solutions that are currently available and are used in the degradation of this environmental waste. This research offers further evidence of considerable litter pollution, highlighting that sanitary waste is the primary contributor and presents a serious hazard to the whole ecosystem.