Ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day, a group of young students from Delhi is gaining attention for creating reusable sanitary pads made from sugarcane bagasse, an agricultural waste product left behind after extracting sugarcane juice.
Led by student innovator Anupriya Nayak, the all-girls team named “Team Udaan” developed the project to address two growing concerns in India — lack of access to affordable menstrual hygiene products and increasing sanitary waste pollution.
Turning agricultural waste into hygiene solution
The team used sugarcane bagasse, a fibrous by-product generated in large quantities by sugar mills, to create reusable and eco-friendly sanitary pads.
According to the students, the material was chosen because of its absorbent and lightweight properties. After months of research and testing, the team developed a process to clean, treat and convert the waste into durable menstrual pads suitable for repeated use.
The students said their aim was to create a low-cost and sustainable alternative for women in rural and low-income communities who often struggle to access safe menstrual products.
Addressing health and environmental concerns
Experts say many women in economically weaker communities still rely on unsafe alternatives such as cloth, ash or hay during menstruation due to the cost of sanitary products.
The lack of proper menstrual hygiene products can increase health risks and also affect school attendance among girls.
At the same time, environmental concerns linked to disposable sanitary pads continue to grow across India because most commercial pads contain plastic and non-biodegradable materials.
The reusable bagasse-based pads aim to reduce both menstrual waste and financial burden on users.
Innovation supported by mentorship
The project received support under Samsung’s “Solve for Tomorrow” initiative, which encourages students to create solutions for social challenges through science and innovation.
The prototype was later refined with mentorship and incubation support from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
Young innovators driving social change
The project highlights how young students are increasingly using STEM education and sustainable innovation to solve grassroots social problems.
Team Udaan said the initiative is not only about hygiene products, but also about dignity, education and breaking the silence around menstruation.