admin | June 19, 2026
News Brief
When 15-year-old Raheema Auwal-Panti learned that disposable sanitary pads can contain up to 90% plastic and take centuries to decompose, she launched PantiPads in 2025. Based in Minna, Nigeria, the initiative produces biodegradable pads from agricultural waste such as cassava peelings, banana leaves, and corn husks. The project aims to reduce plastic pollution while improving access to safe, affordable menstrual products. PantiPads has been shortlisted for the 2026 Earth Prize, earning international recognition.
When 15-year-old Raheema Auwal-Panti learned that many disposable sanitary pads contain up to 90% plastic and can take hundreds of years to decompose, she decided to take action.
The teenager from Minna, the capital of Niger State in Nigeria, founded PantiPads in 2025 to produce biodegradable sanitary pads using agricultural waste materials such as cassava peelings, banana leaves, and maize husks.
Ms. Panti says she was motivated by a desire to reduce plastic pollution while improving access to safer menstrual products for women and girls. She says, “Even if no one does something about it, I could do something about it.”
Her innovation addresses two important challenges. In northern Nigeria, cassava processing generates large amounts of agricultural waste that can contribute to soil and water pollution if not properly managed. At the same time, many women and girls struggle to access affordable menstrual products, while commonly available disposable pads create significant plastic waste.
According to Ms. Auwal-Panti, the project also helps address menstrual stigma and improve menstrual health. She says, “Using these wastes to develop eco-friendly pads is currently helping to address menstrual stigma, which remains a significant public health challenge that affects girls’ education and overall well-being in Africa.”
She also believes biodegradable products can provide a safer alternative to conventional sanitary pads. She says, “The current options aren’t very safe. The pad is used for some of the most sensitive parts of the human body. People have a very safe option in eco-friendly sanitary pads.”
The project has already gained international recognition. PantiPads was selected among 35 teams worldwide shortlisted for the 2026 Earth Prize, a global competition that supports youth-led environmental solutions.
While the initiative is still in its early stages, Ms. Panti hopes to establish a local production facility in the future. She says, “The long-term goal is to establish a local production space for the pads. However, at this stage, we are focusing on building relationships with existing manufacturers, understanding operational requirements, and learning the production system properly before expanding into our own setup.”
For now, PantiPads is working with manufacturers and building partnerships to bring the products directly to consumers while raising awareness about biodegradable menstrual products as a sustainable alternative to conventional pads.
Through PantiPads, Ms. Auwal-Panti is demonstrating how young innovators can transform agricultural waste into practical solutions that benefit both people and the environment.
This story is based on an article written by Aimable Twahirwa and published on MongaBay, titled “A Nigerian teen is turning agricultural waste into biodegradable sanitary pads” To read the full story, go to: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/a-nigerian-teen-is-turning-agricultural-waste-into-biodegradable-sanitary-pads/
Photo: Raheema Auwal-Panti, a 15-year-old from Nigeria is helping turn low-grade agricultural waste into eco-friendly sanitary pads. Image courtesy of Raheema Auwal-Panti.