Safe disposal of sanitary waste is her aim

Around 10 women sit with bundles of newspapers at the NGO, Guild of Service in Egmore. They carefully fold the newspaper sheets in neat envelopes and paste a sticker that has a sketch of a sanitary pad. 

These packs consist of biodegradable paper bags for the disposal of used sanitary pads, made under the brand name, Svacch. Anisha Nichani, who started the enterprise in August 2014, says, “I come from a family that has been in the retail business for years. I wanted to launch something that would bring some good to the society.”  

She came across an initiative from Pune, called Waste Collection and Handling, that had enabled the city’s waste pickers to make and sell bags made of newspaper. After getting in touch with their team, she decided to start something similar in namma Chennai. 

“People are hesitant to talk about sanitary pads even today, with women having to be discreet about disposing used pads. They even carry an unused pad, packed in a newspaper. Imagine the plight of rag pickers, who often have to pick these up with their bare hands,” she says. The Svacch packs are a cheap and hygienic form of disposal of the pads. “I collect old newspapers from wherever I can. I have told my family and friends not to sell theirs, but to give them to me,” says Anisha. 

She then takes the paper, glue stickers and tape, to the Guild of Service where women make the final product. “The idea behind collaborating with the NGO was to give employment opportunity to women. When we started out, there were seven women but now many others have joined the venture. After these envelopes are made, I look into the packing myself. 

This is to ensure that we sell quality products,” she says. These biodegradable products are currently available for Rs 20 for 10 packs at Prisha in Alsa Mall and a few Nilgiris franchise outlets. Anisha agrees that there is a lot to be done when it comes to sanitary hygiene. 

“I have taken this product to several bazaars and fairs. Women are willing to buy shoes worth lakhs of rupees, but do not want to spare Rs 20 for this. We have to understand that small steps help in making the place a better to live.”