Powys town council looking into obtaining Bins for Boys

Builth Wells Town Council is looking into the Bins for Boys project and placing sanitary units in male toilets.

They are undertaking the move after being informed that the bins would help people suffering with urinary and other issues.

Town clerk Mrs Louise Hammond told the October meeting of the council that they had received a leaflet from Lingen Davies Cancer Support which is dedicated to making a difference to those impacted by cancer in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales.

They are running a Bins for Boys campaign

It said that incontinence can be a side effect of cancer and cancer treatment, for example men with prostate cancer can experience bladder and bowel problems following treatment.

In the UK, about one in three men over 65 experience urinary incontinence issues, while one in 20 men aged 60 + experience bowel incontinence according to Cancer Research UK.

This is where the ‘Bins for Boys’ programme comes in.

The leaflet stated: “Lack of sanitary bins in male toilets in public places affects men who need to wear pads, pouches, stomas, catheters, colostomy or ileostomy bags.

“Outside their home, men with incontinence need to be able to dispose of their sanitary waste in the places they visit, such as cafes/ pubs and public toilets.

“Women are used to being able to find sanitary bins in such community venues, but it can be a real problem for men.

“We know many men fear being unable to find a toilet with sanitary bins make them anxious, worried and humiliated. It can stop them leaving their homes to enjoy every day activities like enjoying a pub meal with friends, or a cup coffee in a local café.”

Councillors considered the leaflet and the issues it raised and they unanimously agreed that the clerk should make enquiries about obtaining some Bins for Boys