EcoSmart Pads

Product Description

EcoSmart Pads are biodegradable menstrual pads made from local sugarcane fiber produced and distributed in Uganda. They are produced by EcoSmart Uganda. They are still in the product development stage and working towards commercialization.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$0.42

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

EcoSmart Uganda is supported by Ka0 in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is produced in Uganda and uses locally available sugarcane fibers.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent Protected

User Provision Model

The designers have not yet selected their user provision model.

Distributions to Date Status

None

Design Specifications

The product is made from sugarcane residue. The residue is boiled in water to remove the sugar content and to soften it. Then, the solution is sieved to isolate the fibers, which are then dried and processed into the pads.

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Designer specified performance targets include: low cost, biodegradable in nature, and comfortable in use.

Vetted Performance Status

The prototype has been lab-tested for absorbance at the Micro-Biology lab at Mbrara University of Science and Technology. The manufacturer has applied to MUST Institutional Review Board for approval to test the prototypes on girls and women for feedback on usability. No third party testing has been completed.

Safety

The pads shouldn’t be used more than 8-10 hours.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Study on menstrual management in Uganda., Aug. 2013.

J. Hennegan, C. Dolan, M. Wu, L. Scott, and P. Montgomery, Schoolgirls’ experience and appraisal of menstrual absorbents in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional evaluation of reusable sanitary pads. Reprod. Health, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1–12, Dec. 2016, doi: 10.1186/s12978-016-0260-7.

G. Miiro et al., Menstrual health and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Uganda (MENISCUS): A feasibility study. BMC Womens. Health, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1–13, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1186/s12905-017-0502-z.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

The product video can be found at this link. EcoSmart pads is an UP Accelerate 2017 alumni and won the 2018 Big Idea Innovation challenge by Makere University.