Pooja Singh is an assistant professor in Pune. Her group studies water hyacinth in rivers near the city. They suggested using the plant to make biodegradable sanitary pads and to turn a problem into a resource.
Their project won an Elsevier Foundation award at the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference in Pune. The work aims to reduce water pollution and plastic waste, improve menstrual hygiene, and support women in rural communities by creating income and workshops.
Difficult words
- water hyacinth — a fast growing water plant that causes problems
- biodegradable — able to decay naturally and not cause pollution
- sanitary pad — a product used to absorb menstrual bloodsanitary pads
- pollution — dirty or harmful substances in the environmentwater pollution
- plastic waste — used plastic materials that people throw away
- menstrual hygiene — practices and products to keep periods clean
- workshop — a meeting for training or practical group workworkshops
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think using water hyacinth to make pads could help the environment? Why?
- How could workshops help women in rural communities?
- Would you use a biodegradable sanitary pad if it was available? Why or why not?
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