Shire installing incontinence bins

BINS for incontinence products are set to be installed by the municipality at sixteen male toilets throughout Golden Plains Shire as part of the BINS4Blokes men’s mental health campaign.

The effort centres around the placement of the bins bins in public toilets throughout Australia with the aim of raising awareness and decreasing the stigma behind bladder issues in men.

“These bins will help improve men’s mental health, increase active living and promote social inclusion for men experiencing bladder and bowel health issues,” said mayor Cr Brett Cunningham.

“A lack of incontinence disposal bins in male toilets has a significant impact for community and social participation, with men who experience incontinence more likely to stay home and not take part in everyday activities.”

Set to be installed this month, the bins will be located at the Bannockburn Family Services Centre, Smythesdale’s The Well, Linton Customer Service, Bannockburn’s Victoria Park, Golden Plains Civic Centre, Bannockburn Cultural Centre, and the Teesdale Turtle Bend, Bannockburn Heart, Linton, Meredith and Inverleigh public toilets.

They will also be installed at the Rokewood and Shelford recreation reserves and the Linton, Rokewood and Shelford depots.

The BINS4Blokes campaign is an initiative of the national bowel and bladder health body Continence Foundation of Australia.

An estimate from the BINS4Blokes website indicates 1.34 million Australian males experience incontinence.

The toilets chosen were identified by the municipality as being the most frequently used in the region, with the bins expected to cost more than $2000 annually.