Promote menstrual cups to reduce cost, protect environment: Kerala minister

Kollam (Kerala), Jan 20 (PTI) Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Tuesday called for increasing the use and promotion of menstrual cups as an alternative to sanitary napkins, citing their high cost and environmental impact.

He said in a press release that menstrual cups ensure better personal hygiene and contribute to sustainable waste management.

Balagopal was speaking after inaugurating the state-level launch of a Haritha Kerala Mission project to distribute menstrual cups and install incinerators.

He said incinerators would play a crucial role in the scientific disposal of synthetic sanitary napkins, which pose environmental challenges.

The minister said the allocation of funds for menstrual cups and incinerators in the state budget had drawn attention across the country.

He added that Kerala was the first state to present an environment-friendly budget and that the newly launched project was part of that initiative.

Haritha Kerala Mission Vice Chairperson Dr T N Seema, who outlined the project, said the programme was included in the environment-friendly budget presented by the state government.

The function was held at Muttara Government Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary School in Veliyam Grama Panchayat in Kollam district, with Kollam District Panchayat President R Latha Devi presiding.

As part of the programme, an awareness session on the use of menstrual cups and the operation of incinerators was conducted, the release said. PTI TGB SSK