Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to install male sanitary bins across all of its stores, as part of a nationwide push to improve accessibility and dignity for men living with incontinence. The retailer has rolled out the facilities in customer toilets across its supermarket estate, becoming the first grocer to meet The Bog Standard guidelines, developed by phs Group and Prostate Cancer UK.
Morrisons meets The Bog Standard guidelines
Morrisons corporate affairs director David Scott 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.”
Impact on men with incontinence
Prostate Cancer UK head of support services Nick Ridgman said many men need sanitary bins to dispose of used pads discreetly and hygienically, but said these facilities are often missing from men’s toilets. “It’s causing men stress and shame and keeping them from going out, heading to work or even doing the things they love,” he said.
“Morrisons is making its stores more welcoming and accessible for every employee and customer and we hope other companies will follow.”
phs Group calls for industry-wide change
phs Group chief executive Matthew Brabin added: “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.” Morrisons is rivalled by Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi and Lidl.
