How Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet May be Harmful
How Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet May be Harmful
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Everybody is bound to have their personal theory with regards to 10 Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet.
When it involves dealing with waste, particularly animal waste, many individuals frequently resort to the hassle-free alternative of flushing it down the toilet. However, this relatively very easy service can have significant consequences for the atmosphere and public health. In this write-up, we'll check out why flushing pet waste down the commode is a negative idea and provide alternative techniques for proper disposal.
Introduction
Proper garbage disposal is essential for keeping ecological sustainability and public health. While it might seem harmless to purge animal waste down the bathroom, it can bring about various concerns, both for the environment and human health.
Threats of flushing pet waste
Environmental impact
Flushing animal waste introduces dangerous bacteria and microorganisms into rivers, which can adversely influence aquatic communities. These pathogens can contaminate water sources and injury marine life, interrupting fragile ecosystems.
Public health issues
Animal waste contains damaging microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can position severe health and wellness risks to humans. Flushing animal waste down the commode can contaminate water products, bring about the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than purging animal waste down the toilet, there are a number of alternate disposal approaches that are extra environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting pet waste is an environment-friendly method to deal with it. By composting, organic matter is broken down into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to fertilize yards and plants.
Garbage dump disposal
Dealing with animal waste in a land fill is an additional option. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a more secure choice to flushing, as it prevents the contamination of water resources.
Pet dog waste disposal systems
There are customized family pet waste disposal systems readily available that securely and hygienically dispose of pet waste. These systems commonly make use of enzymes to break down waste and eliminate odors.
Steps to proper animal garbage disposal
To make certain proper disposal of animal waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and nabbing waste
Regularly scoop and bag animal waste utilizing eco-friendly bags. This prevents waste from contaminating the setting.
Utilizing marked waste bins
Dispose of bagged pet waste in assigned waste bins, such as compost bins or land fill containers. Avoid flushing it down the toilet at all prices.
Cleaning litter boxes and animal areas routinely
Consistently tidy litter boxes and family pet locations to avoid the accumulation of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep health.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Embracing appropriate disposal approaches for animal waste provides several advantages:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods minimize the risk of environmental pollution, protecting waterways and ecosystems from contamination
Decreased danger of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing animal waste down the bathroom, the threat of water contamination is dramatically minimized, protecting public health.
Enhanced cleanliness and health
Proper disposal approaches advertise far better cleanliness and health, developing a more secure atmosphere for both people and pets.
Final thought
Finally, flushing animal waste down the bathroom is damaging to the environment and public health. By taking on alternative disposal approaches and following correct waste monitoring techniques, we can decrease the adverse effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, healthier earth.
Can You Flush Dog and Cat Poo Down the Toilet?
Cat poo often contains a highly resistant parasite called Toxoplasma that can infect people and animals. Many municipal water treatments do not have equipment or processes to kill it (as they're designed for humans who don't poop this parasite!) meaning it would pass into our waterways, posing a risk to humans and animals alike. It can even prove fatal for some wildlife.
Many studies have shown that so called biodegradable and 'flushable' products, including flushable poo bags, don't actually disintegrate as claimed. This is primarily because they're designed to biodegrade in warm water, not cold water, like that in our toilets. In fact, 'flushable' poo bags have historically caused $8 million in blockages in Australia so it's not recommended to try flushing these bags, despite what they claim! The same goes for cat litter. Our old sewage systems are only designed for the 3 P's - Pee, Poo and Paper and can easily get blocked if anything else is thrown in.
So what about dog poo (without the bags)?
Again, dog poo is considerably different to human poo. It contains twice the harmful bacteria and viruses and also contains unique parasites. One particular parasite, Toxocara, is highly resistant to high temperatures. Our water treatment facilities are not designed to deal with dog poo pathogens such as this so there's a chance that they will pass through and contaminate our waterways if flushed down the toilet. Toxocara can also infect humans, causing blindness in children and infect animals so presents a public health risk. This is why many waste water treatment plants advise against flushing any type of pet poo down the toilet, due to the extra pathogens it contains.
Dog and cat poo can also contain medicines, such as parasite treatments, which can be highly toxic to aquatic life and may threaten the stability of entire ecosystems. Medicines are much trickier to clean from sewage and will likely pass unchanged into our waterways.
Scalability
There's also the question of whether flushing pet waste could really ever be a viable widespread solution. Could our old sewage systems really cope with the additional faeces of 12 million dogs and 10 million cats if everyone starting flushing their pet's poo? It's unlikely!
We contacted Wessex Water and South West Water on the matter of flushing pet poo and both gave different answers. The former advised it was safe to do so, while the latter strongly advised against it! This may be due to their different treatment processes which can vary depending on location. However both water companies agreed that you should never flush any 'flushable' products down the toilet, even if they claim to be safe to flush as in real world this just simply isn't the case and they often cause costly blockages. They emphasised that only the three P's - Poo, Paper and Pee should ever be flushed down the toilet.
Conclusion
In summary, never flush biodegradable or 'flushable' poo bags or cat litter down the toilet. We also feel it's safer to avoid flushing cat and dog faeces, due to it's pathogenic content, the unknown risks of parasite treatments and medicines on wildlife and the wider environment and due to the inconsistent advice. Dog poo may be disposed in a well managed compost or wormery, rather than down the toilet. If you are still really keen to flush pet poo, make sure you speak to your local water treatment plant before you do so, as they may or may not have the treatments to safely process it.
If you dispose of your pet's waste in general waste then ensure to do so in the most eco-friendly way by using recycled poo bags such as Award Winning ReSEAcled poo bags. Experts advice it's better to re-use waste that was already destined for landfill or incineration rather than using poo bags made form virgin materials because this helps reduce plastic production, reduce plastic pollution and cuts carbon emissions and energy use. ReSEAcled poo bags are also the world's first Plastic Negative poo bags, removing 5 times as much plastic from the environment than they use! Click here to learn more.
https://petimpact.co.uk/blogs/poo-revolution/can-you-flush-pet-poo-down-the-toilet
Consistently tidy litter boxes and family pet locations to avoid the accumulation of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep health.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Embracing appropriate disposal approaches for animal waste provides several advantages:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods minimize the risk of environmental pollution, protecting waterways and ecosystems from contamination
Decreased danger of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing animal waste down the bathroom, the threat of water contamination is dramatically minimized, protecting public health.
Enhanced cleanliness and health
Proper disposal approaches advertise far better cleanliness and health, developing a more secure atmosphere for both people and pets.
Final thought
Finally, flushing animal waste down the bathroom is damaging to the environment and public health. By taking on alternative disposal approaches and following correct waste monitoring techniques, we can decrease the adverse effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, healthier earth.
Can You Flush Dog and Cat Poo Down the Toilet?
Cat poo often contains a highly resistant parasite called Toxoplasma that can infect people and animals. Many municipal water treatments do not have equipment or processes to kill it (as they're designed for humans who don't poop this parasite!) meaning it would pass into our waterways, posing a risk to humans and animals alike. It can even prove fatal for some wildlife.
Many studies have shown that so called biodegradable and 'flushable' products, including flushable poo bags, don't actually disintegrate as claimed. This is primarily because they're designed to biodegrade in warm water, not cold water, like that in our toilets. In fact, 'flushable' poo bags have historically caused $8 million in blockages in Australia so it's not recommended to try flushing these bags, despite what they claim! The same goes for cat litter. Our old sewage systems are only designed for the 3 P's - Pee, Poo and Paper and can easily get blocked if anything else is thrown in.
So what about dog poo (without the bags)?
Again, dog poo is considerably different to human poo. It contains twice the harmful bacteria and viruses and also contains unique parasites. One particular parasite, Toxocara, is highly resistant to high temperatures. Our water treatment facilities are not designed to deal with dog poo pathogens such as this so there's a chance that they will pass through and contaminate our waterways if flushed down the toilet. Toxocara can also infect humans, causing blindness in children and infect animals so presents a public health risk. This is why many waste water treatment plants advise against flushing any type of pet poo down the toilet, due to the extra pathogens it contains.
Dog and cat poo can also contain medicines, such as parasite treatments, which can be highly toxic to aquatic life and may threaten the stability of entire ecosystems. Medicines are much trickier to clean from sewage and will likely pass unchanged into our waterways.
Scalability
There's also the question of whether flushing pet waste could really ever be a viable widespread solution. Could our old sewage systems really cope with the additional faeces of 12 million dogs and 10 million cats if everyone starting flushing their pet's poo? It's unlikely!
We contacted Wessex Water and South West Water on the matter of flushing pet poo and both gave different answers. The former advised it was safe to do so, while the latter strongly advised against it! This may be due to their different treatment processes which can vary depending on location. However both water companies agreed that you should never flush any 'flushable' products down the toilet, even if they claim to be safe to flush as in real world this just simply isn't the case and they often cause costly blockages. They emphasised that only the three P's - Poo, Paper and Pee should ever be flushed down the toilet.
Conclusion
In summary, never flush biodegradable or 'flushable' poo bags or cat litter down the toilet. We also feel it's safer to avoid flushing cat and dog faeces, due to it's pathogenic content, the unknown risks of parasite treatments and medicines on wildlife and the wider environment and due to the inconsistent advice. Dog poo may be disposed in a well managed compost or wormery, rather than down the toilet. If you are still really keen to flush pet poo, make sure you speak to your local water treatment plant before you do so, as they may or may not have the treatments to safely process it.
If you dispose of your pet's waste in general waste then ensure to do so in the most eco-friendly way by using recycled poo bags such as Award Winning ReSEAcled poo bags. Experts advice it's better to re-use waste that was already destined for landfill or incineration rather than using poo bags made form virgin materials because this helps reduce plastic production, reduce plastic pollution and cuts carbon emissions and energy use. ReSEAcled poo bags are also the world's first Plastic Negative poo bags, removing 5 times as much plastic from the environment than they use! Click here to learn more.
https://petimpact.co.uk/blogs/poo-revolution/can-you-flush-pet-poo-down-the-toilet
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