From Chadstone to Westfield Booragoon, forward-thinking shopping centres around Australia are now taking an active step towards supporting males living with incontinence.
Each of these centres proudly support Australian men’s health campaign BINS4Blokes and have placed incontinence product disposal bins in their amenities, helping men and boys living with incontinence to confidently navigate their local community.
Research from the Continence Foundation of Australia has revealed that incontinence affects over 1.34 million Australian boys and men. Meanwhile, 36% of men living with incontinence are under the age of 50 and more than five million Australians have bladder or bowel control issues.
Despite the statistics, there are not enough public toilets that provide a hygienic and dedicated disposal method for male incontinence products. But that is about to change.
The installation of incontinence product disposal bins is easy, affordable and sustainable
“Providing incontinence product disposal bins in male public toilets can encourage men to get out and about and improve their quality of life. Providing bins in shopping centres can make a difference to the lives of men with incontinence and encourage everyone to talk openly about it,” says Dr Gian Sberna, CEO at the Continence Foundation of Australia.
“It’s a timely reminder as we mark World Continence Week and look to support those in our community living with this very common condition.”
Leigh Caulfield, Senior Operations Manager at Vicinity Centres, notes that the bins were installed over a year ago at Chadstone and have received positive feedback from the public. Their seamless integration into the centre’s sanitary services required minimal effort and costs.
According to Caulfield, shopping centres present an optimal setting for expanding the reach of BINS4Blokes. With readily accessible, safe, and hygienic amenities, facilitated by existing cleaning contracts, these locations offer ideal opportunities for promoting this initiative.
The beginnings of BINS4Blokes
The story behind BINS4Blokes began when a local continence nurse in South Australia identified a need for incontinence product disposal bins for men experiencing incontinence, and successfully petitioned her local council to install them in male and unisex toilet facilities. Inspired by this advocacy, in early 2020, the Continence Foundation of Australia launched the BINS4Blokes initiative to raise awareness of incontinence within the community and encourage the installation of disposal bins across the nation.
AFL icon Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico is a supporter of BINS4Blokes and has been living with incontinence for several years, a condition he has openly shared with the Herald Sun and the Continence Foundation of Australia’s Bridge Magazine.
“For boys and men who use incontinence products, well, there’s very, very few or no places at all to throw them out. Now that can have a big impact on their lives – preventing them going to the footy or to the movies or even having family times. That’s why I’m backing BINS4Blokes,” he says.
How shopping centres can make a difference
Shopping centres act as a central hub for their local community and these days, many are focused on creating meaningful connections and developing partnerships with purpose-led social campaigns such as BINS4Blokes.
“Consumers now also have higher expectations of retailers and brands that are aligned with intrinsic value towards social justice and equality, as well as environmental concerns,” says retail expert and Queensland University of Technology Professor Gary Mortimer.
Since the launch of BINS4Blokes, several shopping centres across the country have come on board, such as Mirvac’s Cooleman Court (ACT), Westfield Innaloo (WA), Westfield Kotara (NSW) and St Ives Shopping Village (NSW). Major venues are also partners of BINS4Blokes, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Western Australia Cricket Ground and Perth Airport. Other supports include city councils, libraries, and health services.
To help participating venues spread awareness of the facilities, BINS4Blokes offers free downloadable promotional posters which can be placed in or outside of the toilets. Venues are also encouraged to engage with their community via traditional and social media and templates are available for download on the BINS4Blokes website.
Public toilets offering incontinence product disposal bins are also added to the online National Public Toilet Map, a practical tool for people when they are travelling or simply out and about. The helpful resource provides locations of these facilities, details of opening hours, accessibility, parking and other features. It is also able to calculate the travel distance to the facilities. The installation of incontinence product disposal bins into venues is easy, affordable and sustainable – and they have the ability to truly change someone’s life.
“Incontinence is a normal part of life for many. We want more people in the community to share their stories and experiences, so that men know that they aren’t alone and can continue living their lives with a sense of dignity,” explains Dr Sberna.
“Placing bins in shopping centre toilets will help kickstart those important conversations with their customers and let people know that there is support for them.”
To join Chadstone Shopping Centre and support BINS4Blokes, contact info@BINS4Blokes.org.au
To seek support, contact the National Continence Helpline, a free telephone service that offers confidential information, advice and support : 1800 33 00 66
