Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to update the (a) Waste Duty of Care and (b) other relevant legislation to help ensure it supports the provision of incontinence bins in male toilet facilities.

The Waste Duty of Care legislation makes provision for the safe handling of waste to protect public health and the environment but does not extend to types of waste receptacles and their placement. Where public sanitary bins are provided in local authority provided toilets, the relevant local authority must ensure that bins are managed in accordance with the relevant waste legislation, including the Waste Duty of Care.

Regulation 2(3) of the Workplace Regulations aims to ensure that workplaces meet the health, safety and welfare needs of each member of the workforce. The Health and Safety Executive believes the current Workplace Regulations are fit for purpose in this respect although it intends to consider whether the guidance regarding disposal of sanitary dressings in toilets fulfils that aim.