How a local council is tackling an invisible health issue

For the more than 2.4 million Australian men and boys living with incontinence, the absence of incontinence product disposal bin in a men’s toilet can have consequences for dignity, wellbeing and participation in everyday life.

Without appropriate disposal options, men are forced to:

• carry used continence products
• use inappropriate general waste bins
• avoid leaving home altogether.

This can limit community participation, restrict employment and social engagement. It can also take a toll on mental health and wellbeing.

After residents raised the need for dignified disposal options in men’s toilets, Wollondilly Shire Council in NSW rolled out BINS4Blokes disposal bins in council-owned public toilets across the shire. The bins have been installed in male and unisex facilities, helping ensure people can dispose of continence products safely and discreetly.

At the heart of this change was community advocacy, led by local resident Mick Barrett, a prostate cancer survivor who lives with incontinence. Like many men, Mick found himself planning outings around toilet access, changing pads several times a day, and feeling embarrassed when there was nowhere to dispose of used products discreetly. Being told to ‘use the disabled toilet’ was frustrating. It often meant leaving the cubicle to find someone who needed an accessible facility waiting. As Mick pointed out, the fix could be as simple as providing a BINS4Blokes disposal bin inside the cubicle.

In response to Mick’s advocacy and broader community feedback, Wollondilly Shire Council introduced the BINS4Blokes initiative. With the support of Deputy Mayor of Wollondilly, Matthew Deeth, the Council installed dedicated disposal bins where they were needed. The shared goal was simple – make it safe, discreet and respectful for anyone using continence products to dispose of them when they’re out in the community.

Wollondilly Shire Councillors noted that sanitary disposal bins are common in many women’s and accessible toilets but have been absent from men’s toilets. BINS4Blokes closes that gap with a straightforward upgrade that local councils can roll out quickly and cost effectively.

Council has also developed an education campaign to raise awareness of incontinence. They are partnering with local businesses and community organisations and promoting the national BINS4Blokes initiative. Mayor Matt Gould has also proposed embedding incontinence product disposal bins into Wollondilly’s development control plans. This will ensure new developments include inclusive toileting infrastructure as standard rather than exception.

For free and confidential support, call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.

Where to find BINS4Blokes

Search the National Public Toilet Map to find facilities with BINS4Blokes installed:

To use the map:

1. go to Preferences in the menu
2. under ‘Select the amenities you want to include’, choose ‘BINS4Blokes
3. search the map for facilities with you and you’ll see where to find the bins.

You can also view the list of providers in your state or territory: Directory of incontinence bin providers