Project Care

Project CARE (Campus Action for Reusable Essentials)

Introduction

Project CARE (Campus Action for Reusable Essentials), an initiative to promote the use of reusable menstrual products among school and college-going girls, was launched on the occasion with the distribution of eco-friendly reusable menstrual pads to women from underserved communities.

Why focus on sanitary napkins?

India generates over 100 crore used disposable pads every month, contributing to a massive waste crisis. But the issue goes deeper than waste:

Health concerns: Recent research shows that rising rates of menstrual disorders like PCOS are linked to the toxins and chemicals in many disposable pads.
Environmental cost: India imports nearly USD 500 million worth of cellulose fibre annually to make disposable sanitary napkins—fueling deforestation globally.
A better experience: Users of reusable pads report fewer rashes, reduced cramps, and a more natural cycle—suggesting that periods were never meant to be painful or problematic

Implementation Partners:

On 28 May 2025, marking Menstrual Hygiene Day, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Conclave on Menstrual Health & Hygiene between IIT Bhubaneswar (IITBBS) and the Saukhyam Foundation to implement Project CARE.

The project was formally launched on the same day at the IITBBS Argul Campus, in the gracious presence of Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha.

About the Partners:

IIT Bhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park

Established in 2017 and located on the IIT Bhubaneswar campus, the Research and Entrepreneurship Park (REP) is a vibrant innovation hub supporting early-stage start-ups and research across technology, engineering, and social entrepreneurship. Spanning 60,000 sq. ft., it provides advanced infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, and strong industry linkages. Aligned with its vision to position Odisha as an innovation hub, REP launched the 100 CUBE Initiative in February 2024, aiming to nurture 100 startups worth ₹100 crore by 2036.

IIT Bhubaneswar (IITBBSR) serves as the nodal centre for implementing Project CARE at its campus and across academic institutions throughout Odisha.

Official website: https://rep.iitbbs.ac.in/

Ayurarogya Saukhyam Foundation

Ayurarogya Saukhyam Foundation is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming menstrual health and hygiene in India and beyond. Crafted from natural banana fiber, Saukhyam pads are India’s first government-recognized reusable menstrual product made using agro waste.Saukhyam has been honored by NITI Aayog with the prestigious Women Transforming India Award. More recently Saukhyam received

the Sheroes Award from the Kerala Women’s Commission. At the Uttarakhand Healthcare Innovation Summit, it was awarded the Rural Healthcare Organization of the Year. Saukhyam is working in several states of India in partnership with Govt. bodies and others. Saukhyam is working with researchers and gynecologists at leading hospitals in the country to bring awareness about toxins present in many commercial sanitary napkins—substances like dioxins, phthalates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals which can be absorbed through the vaginal and vulvar tissues. These chemicals are linked to hormonal disruption, reproductive disorders, and even chronic conditions like endometriosis and PCOS.

Official website: https://www.saukhyampads.org/