By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 24: A special awareness programme titled ‘Zero Waste Period’ was held at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, organised by Shubham Charitable Organisation in collaboration with Operation Clean-Up (OCU).
The initiative is part of a state-wide campaign supported by the Education department, aiming to promote menstrual hygiene, sustainable living and environmental responsibility among young women.
During the programme, president of Operation Clean-Up and Editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim, delivered a powerful address, urging students to rethink the “use-and-throw” culture.
Mukhim said, “We are too used to a use-and-throw lifestyle but we must now ask ourselves, how is this hurting the environment? In fact, every day we should ask ourselves, ‘What am I doing for the environment?’”
Drawing attention to river pollution in Meghalaya, she highlighted that disposable sanitary napkins and diapers, along with plastic, syringes, and clothes are commonly found during river cleaning drives that Operation Clean-Up has undertaken since 2019. She stressed the urgency of adopting reusable sanitary products to protect both personal health and the ecosystem. On the other hand, Payal Bajaj, Meghalaya Head of the Zero Waste Period Project under Shubham Charitable Organisation and a proud alumnus of St. Mary’s School, introduced the concept of plastic-free, reusable sanitary napkins, period panties and reusable diapers—handcrafted by women from Khatarshnong Laitkroh, Meghalaya.
These eco-friendly products are ISI and BIS certified, leak-proof, stain-resistant and odour-free, with a lifespan of up to three years. She explained that an average woman uses between 5,000 to 15,000 disposable pads in her lifetime, most of which end up in landfills and rivers due to inefficient waste management systems. The reusable alternative not only reduces this burden but also creates livelihood opportunities for rural women in the state.
A live demonstration showcased the superior absorbency of the reusable napkin compared to a disposable one, highlighting that even after absorbing 20 ml of liquid, the reusable pad remained light, leak-proof and more hygienic.
Similarly, Sister Sonia, Principal of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, warmly welcomed the guests, emphasising the importance of such programmes in instilling environmental consciousness among students. Miss Joplin Nongdhar played a key role in coordinating the event. The students of St. Mary’s also presented a touching Khasi song on ‘Mariang’ (Nature), reinforcing the message of harmony with and responsibility towards the Earth.
The programme featured an interactive session where students asked questions about pricing, washing methods, and availability. The reusable pad set—priced at Rs 250 for students (market rate Rs 499)—is available at outlets like Hallmark Gift Store and Bhajanlal and Co, with free delivery on request. Users are encouraged to provide feedback to help improve the product.
Meanwhile, Ritu Agarwal delivered the vote of thanks, encouraging everyone to follow a plastic-free menstrual journey and to continue advocating for a cleaner Meghalaya.
The event saw active participation from over 2,000 girl students and was attended by dignitaries including Chandra Kanta, Lecturer, Department of Geography, NEHU; OCU team members Roma Nongpyiur, also a St. Mary’s School alumnus, and Jasbir Singh, as well as interns and members from IIM Shillong, and Shubham members including Suneina Tharad, Radhika Deorah and Vaani Jasrasaria, whose contributions were widely appreciated.
Shubham Charitable Organisation also announced its commitment to expanding the Zero Waste Period Campaign to every girls’ school and college across all districts of Meghalaya.