Are Trash Can Lids Required in Women's Restrooms?

Trash can lids in restrooms offer controls against potential health hazards. Therefore, their use in women's restrooms is often required, but also a call for better solutions in restroom maintenance and hygiene practices.

Identification

• In many municipalities and states, women's restrooms must have lids covering their trash cans. Depending on the site, this may be one of the criteria health officials look for in their inspections. States including Maryland and Texas publish periodic inspection reports for the public which list violations of this regulation in their food service industries.

Issues

• One of the necessary functions of the women's restroom is to allow a place to change feminine hygiene products. Often, these items are not flushed so they end up in the trash can and may contaminate the cover. This leads to potential risks for those janitorial and maintenance staff who attend the receptacles. Various health organizations encourage safety procedures to educate and protect these workers.

Solution

• One method being offered to mitigate the danger and contamination of trash cans are individual bags for disposed feminine-care materials. Some producers of these products offer 'green,' biodegradable bags to accommodate environmental concerns. For increased safety, these new bags are frequently equipped with drawstring ties to better ensure non-contact with contaminants.