EcoSmart Pads

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$0.42

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

EcoSmart Uganda is supported by Ka0 in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include AFRIpads Menstrual Kit, ZanaAfrica Pads, and Saathi Pads.

Countries

Uganda

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is produced in Uganda and uses locally available sugarcane fibers.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

The designers have not yet selected their user provision model. 

Distributions to Date Status

None

Design Specifications

The product is made from sugarcane residue. The residue is boiled in water to remove the sugar content and to soften it. Then, the solution is sieved to isolate the fibers, which are then dried and processed into the pads.

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Designer specified performance targets include: low cost, biodegradable in nature, and comfortable in use.

Vetted Performance Status

The prototype has been lab-tested for absorbance at the Micro-Biology lab at Mbrara University of Science and Technology. The manufacturer has applied to MUST Institutional Review Board for approval to test the prototypes on girls and women for feedback on usability. No third party testing has been completed.

Safety

The pads shouldn’t be used more than 8-10 hours.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer has applied to MUST Institutional Review Board for approval to test the prototypes on girls and women for feedback on usability.

Other Information

The product video can be found at this link. EcoSmart pads is an UP Accelerate 2017 alumni and won the 2018 Big Idea Innovation challenge by Makere University.