| |
Golden
Group International, Ltd. (GGI) recently introduced a unique sanitary
disposal bag for public restrooms that is expected to drastically
reduce plumbing problems and improve restroom cleanliness, while
providing a “smart” green solution for companies and individuals who
want to both prevent waste and pollution.
Sani SAC™, a sanitary, sealable, degradable plastic bag, is the
company’s environmentally friendly solution for the disposal of
tampons/napkins, diapers and other similar items in public restrooms.
GGI has created a 50-bag box, a 125-bag roll and a 5-bag handi-pack.
The degradable bags break down in landfills within 12 to 18 months. By
using them, companies keep the disposed items from winding up in
sewers, and leading to waterways and oceans when sewers overflow.
Jackie Transue, President of GGI, said she had the idea for founding
GGI in 2007 while traveling on business as the president of her own
mortgage company. She said practically every restroom in several states
had a sign in the women’s room requesting disposal of sanitary items in
wastebaskets instead of toilets.
“The light bulb went off and I thought that there must be a better
solution than wasting so much toilet paper for wrapping tampons or
napkins,” Ms. Transue said. “Also, sometimes women are embarrassed to
place items in a wastebasket– that’s why they are tempted to flush
them.”
While some bathrooms contain disposal areas for sanitary
napkins/tampons, typically they are lined by a waxed paper bag, which
does not address the waste of wrapping the items in toilet paper. The
waxed bags are intrinsically less environmentally responsible than the
Sani SAC™. According to Golden Group studies, the average menstruating
female uses one extra roll of toilet paper during menstruation for the
purpose of feminine hygiene disposal alone. During her lifetime, she
would use an additional 450 rolls of toilet paper for this purpose.
That translates to 9.5 trees per woman. Based on that, the 125 million
current menstruating females would account for 380 million trees cut
down for toilet paper used for this disposal over 35-40 years, the
average menstrual lifetime.
One of the areas where the Sani SAC™ could make a major impact is in
reducing the amount of tampon applicators that end up in the ocean, Ms.
Transue said. She notes that the Ocean Conservancy’s 2009 report, “A
Rising Tide of Ocean Debris,” cites medical/personal hygiene items,
such as tampons and tampon applicators, disposable diapers and
syringes, as one of the greatest categories of debris, entering the
oceans through sewer systems. The United States is one of the worst
offenders in this area, with tampon applicators and medical debris
comprising 5% of its ocean pollution, compared to a worldwide average
of 1%.
Sani SAC™ bags (sanisac.com) are made from polyethylene and an
additive, which utilizes a unique ion prodegradant system that will
cause a high level of controlled degradation in the finished product
after a period of light exposure. The bags ultimately degrade into CO2,
H2O and biomass, whether they wind up in a landfill or other avenue of
the waste stream. The non-toxic bags are harmless to humans, animals or
plant life.
Kevin Hanna, co-founder and Vice President of GGI, said the company’s
product is an example of a “smart” green effort because it promotes
sustainability, while also breaking down harmlessly.
Transue notes that Sani SAC™ is superior to paper not only in terms of
green aspects, but also because it is stronger, more sanitary and more
private.
“It is double-layered, so it is opaque and is very sturdy,” Ms. Transue
said. “A waxed bag can tear easily and does not seal. If you need to
carry the Sani SAC™ bag in your purse or luggage, it is very compact,
as it is available in a convenient 5-bag pack. If you need to use the
Sani SAC™ bag and don’t find there is a place to dispose of it, you can
put it in your purse to throw away later.”
Currently in use by many institutional and governmental janitorial
services, Sani SAC™ (sanisac.com) reduces plumbing repair costs in
these facilities caused by clogged pipes, according to Mr. Hanna.
Plumbing costs range from $70 to $135 per hour in the United States,
and could run higher in an emergency situation on a weekend or holiday.
“The reduction of plumbing expenses to relieve clogged toilets and
pipes, the reduction of paper waste, the avoidance of clean-up and the
priceless value of not losing the use of the restroom in a busy
restaurant or a rentable hotel room make this a cost-effective product
for the hospitality industry, among others,” Mr. Hanna said.
The products have the added benefit of protecting janitorial staff from
exposure to disposed items that potentially could carry dangerous
viruses or bacteria. These items include sanitary napkins, tampons,
condoms, adhesive bandages, wipes and diapers.
The reactions by women who have used Sani SAC™ have been overwhelmingly positive.
“They appreciate the convenience, hygiene and opportunity to be
discreet,” Ms. Transue said. “Up until the introduction of this product
and our effort to bring awareness to the issues, many women did not
understand the environmental impact of flushing these items. It was
‘out of sight, out of mind’ for many people, but once we explain the
environmental and plumbing impact, they are eager to do their part.”
“This creates good will and overall customer satisfaction for
businesses,” Mr. Hanna said. “The environmental benefit, too, will help
save in clean-up costs and in the damage to our waterways and to marine
life. By keeping costs down with products such as Sani SAC™, hotels can
pass along the savings in the form of lower rates to their customers.”
The company’s goal is no less than to become a household name in green
disposal. “I expect that the Sani SAC™ will be in most eco-friendly
hotels, offices, restaurants and public spaces within the next year as
they become aware of it,” Ms. Transue said. “We hope to reach every
household soon after.”
Golden Group International, Ltd. (GGI) is a leading provider of quality
sanitary and environmentally safe disposal bags, catering to
institutional, sports arena, restaurant and hotel industries. Founded
in 2008, GGI (goldengroupinternational.com) has earned certifications
from the Green Business Association and the “Green” Hotels Association®
for its degradable products. The New York-based company has also
created a retail line of Sani SAC™ products to meet home demand.
|
toni[.]goldengroupinternational.com 
