Incontinence product disposal bin trial results announced

Published on 18 September 2025

An increase in community demand, improved disposal behaviours and available funding opportunities would be required to roll out incontinence product disposal bins in all public toilets throughout the Gannawarra Shire.

This was the key finding of a Gannawarra Shire Council-initiated three-month trial conducted earlier this year at nine accessible toilets located at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Leitchville following a recommendation approved at Council’s February 2025 meeting.

The results of this trial were presented at the September 2025 Council meeting, which showed that the bins were frequently misused, undermining the initiative’s intent.

“Continence Foundation of Australia data reveals that more than five million Australians aged 15 years or over experience bladder or bowel control problems, and the disposal of incontinence pads and/or underwear once used in public is a concern where there are no locations available locally,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

“Unfortunately, this study has revealed that more needs to be done in educating the community regarding using incontinence product disposal bins correctly, with the feasibility of a municipality-wide rollout needing to be assessed if there is future demand.”

As part of the trial, Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, delivered and serviced bins at the nine sites, and provided data on the status of each bin when it was emptied. The data revealed that these bins were contaminated at eight of the nine sites, with items such as nappies, general rubbish, plastic and glass bottles, coffee cups and toilet paper placed in the bins.

The study also revealed that the bins never reached full capacity during the trial, with only two occasions when a bin was half-full when collected for emptying.

“It is important to note that the trial represented only a portion of Council’s total public toilet infrastructure, with a municipality-wide expansion requiring a broader servicing model, increased monitoring, and significant community education, contributing to further cost pressures,” Mayor Smith said.

“Given the current outcomes, the program is not considered viable in its present form. A review of future feasibility, informed by need, behaviour, and funding, would be required if incontinence product disposal bins are to be rolled out to all public toilets in the municipality.”

TOP: The public toilets at Atkinson Park, Kerang was one of nine locations where incontinence product disposal bins were placed as part of a three-month trial conducted earlier this year.