One in 10 men across Australia are living with some form of incontinence.
Melbourne is the first capital city in Australia to install incontinence product disposal bins in Council-owned facilities as part of the the BINS4Blokes initiative, led by the Continence Foundation of Australia.
The bins are located in male and all-gendered toilets at:
- Carlton Baths
- City Library
- Fawkner Park Senior Citizens Centre
- Jean McKendry Neighbourhood Centre
- Kathleen Syme Community Centre
- Kensington Neighbourhood Centre
- Library at the Dock
- Melbourne Town Hall public toilets (on Collins Street)
- North Melbourne Community Centre.
Users will be able to locate the disposal bins via the National Public Toilet Map, a web-based map and phone app that shows the location of more than 21,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia.
Users will be also able to highlight the location of toilets that have incontinence product disposal bins.
Why BINS4Blokes matters
At least 1.34 million Australian boys and men live with incontinence daily. It’s an issue that can affect the emotional and physical health of people and prevent them from attending school or work, participating in sport and engaging socially.
The City of Melbourne is an inclusive and accessible city and we want people who experience incontinence to have access to services so they have the confidence and freedom to get out and about.
Councillor Jamal Hakim said it’s important more people have access to proper disposal bins for their incontinence products – particularly given many instances of incontinence can be much better managed with the right resources.
“With the proper facilities to dispose products, we hope those living with incontinence can continue getting out and about, and doing what they love when they’re here in the City of Melbourne,” Cr Hakim said.
“The trial will not only showcase a practical solution for those living with incontinence, but importantly, raise awareness and facilitate a much-needed conversation on the topic.”
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