Men's sanitary bins installed in Hampshire council buildings

Hampshire County Council will spend almost £7,000 on the initiative to put sanitary bins in men's toilets

Sanitary bins are being installed in staff and public men's toilets in Hampshire council buildings.

The county council has said it is backing the Prostate Cancer UK Boys Need Bins campaign.

The charity is urging authorities to provide waste options for men to dispose of items like incontinence pads, stomas and catheters.

It comes after councillor Martin Tod submitted a motion for HCC to consider providing sanitary bins in September.

He previously told a full county council meeting: "This motion is tackling a problem that particularly affects many of the men that have been treated for prostate cancer, but prostate cancer is by no means the only condition that causes these issues.

"It is an invisible problem. It is an embarrassing problem. But it is almost shocking how simple it is for us as a county council to help make a difference."

The initiative will cost the authority £6,550, to collect and empty the bins in all 202 public and staff male cubicle toilets in county council buildings, including libraries and outdoor centres.

The authority confirmed while bins won't installed at schools, it will be encouraging schools to apply for them.

Another councillor, Russell Oppenheimer, added: "Many men will welcome it, not just men who actually want to use these bins for sanitary products, but I think for all men it's just a positive step forward.

"It's noticeable that there is a small ongoing cost to this that we think it's worth it even though we're in tight times financially."

In support of the same campaign, Portsmouth City Council has also agreed to provide sanitary bins in its men's toilets.

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