Morrisons becomes first supermarket in UK to introduce sanitary bins in male toilets

Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to install sanitary bins in male toilets across all of its stores.

The supermarket giant says it has become the first to meet The Bog Standard guidelines, designed to educate organisations on providing support for men with incontinence.

This includes those who have undergone life-saving prostate cancer treatment.

Morrisons began the rollout following customer feedback, alongside a broader commitment to improving accessibility and inclusive facilities for all customers.

It follows the retailer’s recent introduction of stoma-friendly toilets across all its supermarkets in March this year.

Statistics show one in eight men will get prostate cancer, and as many as 60% of men who have surgical removal of the whole prostate and the prostate cancer cells inside it, may experience urinary incontinence.

Research from the phs Group shows more than a third of men said that they no longer do their grocery shopping as a result.

David Scott, corporate affairs director at Morrisons, said: “We are proud to be the first supermarket to meet The Bog Standard guidelines in every one of our stores. By listening to our customers and working closely with both organisations, we recognise the challenges many men face when living with incontinence.

“Providing appropriate facilities across all Morrisons stores is an important step in helping customers feel more confident and supported when out and about, while also improving access to suitable facilities nationwide.”

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically – but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loos. It’s causing men stress and shame and keeping them from going out, heading to work or even doing the things they love.

“Morrisons is making its stores more welcoming and accessible for every employee/customer and hope other companies will follow. We wholeheartedly support the Dispose with Dignity initiative and hope to see the UK Government support our call to change HSE guidance.

“This is the only way we can ensure men will have access to a male sanitary bin if they’re using toilets in public spaces.”

Matthew Brabin, CEO of phs group, said: “We developed our male incontinence bins at the request of men who have experienced prostate cancer, and we are proud to be the only organisation to develop sanitary bins for men, in consultation with Prostate Cancer UK supporters.

“We thank Morrisons for leading the way in its sector by installing bins in every supermarket across the UK, and we hope other household names will follow to support men living with incontinence. It is unfair that men miss out on everyday activities because a simple sanitary bin is not available in a toilet cubicle. That is what we set out to change, and that is what Morrisons is changing today.”