SEOUL DESIGN AWARD

Every year, more than 12 billion sanitary pads are discarded in India alone, with most ending up in landfills or incinerators. These discarded pads pollute the soil and air, while exposing waste-handling workers to both serious health risks and deep social stigma.

PadCare proposes an integrated solution that combines user-centered design with patented technology to address this problem at its root. At the core of the project are hygienic collection bins installed in restrooms and a 5D recycling process. The bins block odor and bacteria, safely storing pads for up to 30 days so that women and young girls can participate in disposal at workplaces, schools, and public spaces without embarrassment. The collected waste is then treated through disinfection, decolorization, deodorization, decomposition, and superabsorbent polymer deactivation. The resulting cellulose is repurposed for paper, packaging, textiles, or bio-leather, while plastics are turned into flowerpots and household goods, contributing to resource circulation and reduced carbon emissions.

PadCare goes beyond simple collection and recycling to transform social structures. Users can manage their hygiene with dignity, workers are protected from hazardous exposure, and municipalities and businesses can track recycling performance through AI-driven data management to improve policies. This process simultaneously advances gender equality, public health, and environmental protection. Developed through field research and stakeholder engagement, the project enhances scalability through partnerships.

Originating in India, PadCare sets a new standard for sustainable hygiene management for cleaner cities, safer communities, and a sustainable future. By applying circular economy principles, it converts waste into resources, safeguards daily hygiene, and reshapes social perceptions.