Exploring the Dangers of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Exploring the Dangers of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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Just how do you really feel when it comes to 10 Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet?
When it concerns getting rid of waste, especially animal waste, many people typically consider the convenient option of flushing it down the bathroom. Nevertheless, this apparently easy service can have significant repercussions for the atmosphere and public health. In this post, we'll explore why flushing animal waste down the bathroom is a bad idea and offer alternative approaches for appropriate disposal.
Introduction
Proper garbage disposal is important for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it might seem safe to flush animal waste down the bathroom, it can cause numerous concerns, both for the atmosphere and human well-being.
Threats of flushing pet waste
Environmental influence
Flushing pet waste introduces harmful microorganisms and pathogens into rivers, which can adversely impact marine communities. These microorganisms can infect water sources and damage aquatic life, interfering with fragile ecological communities.
Public health concerns
Animal waste contains damaging germs such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can present serious health risks to people. Flushing animal waste down the toilet can pollute water materials, causing the spread of illness and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
As opposed to purging animal waste down the toilet, there are several different disposal methods that are extra environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting pet waste is an environment-friendly method to deal with it. By composting, raw material is broken down into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to fertilize yards and plants.
Land fill disposal
Dealing with animal waste in a garbage dump is one more choice. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a much safer alternative to flushing, as it avoids the contamination of water sources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are specialized family pet waste disposal systems offered that safely and hygienically deal with pet waste. These systems frequently utilize enzymes to break down waste and remove smells.
Actions to appropriate animal waste disposal
To make certain appropriate disposal of animal waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and nabbing waste
Regularly scoop and bag animal waste using naturally degradable bags. This protects against waste from polluting the environment.
Making use of assigned waste containers
Dispose of bagged animal waste in assigned waste bins, such as compost containers or land fill bins. Prevent flushing it down the toilet in all prices.
Cleaning website up litter boxes and pet dog locations consistently
Routinely clean can and animal locations to stop the buildup of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning items to maintain hygiene.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Adopting appropriate disposal techniques for pet waste supplies several benefits:
Minimized environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal techniques reduce the danger of environmental pollution, securing rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Minimized danger of water contamination.
By preventing flushing pet waste down the commode, the danger of water contamination is considerably decreased, guarding public health.
Boosted sanitation and hygiene
Proper disposal approaches promote much better hygiene and hygiene, producing a more secure atmosphere for both human beings and pets.
Conclusion
Finally, flushing pet waste down the commode is damaging to the environment and public health. By embracing different disposal methods and complying with proper waste administration practices, we can minimize the negative effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, much healthier planet.
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
Routinely clean can and animal locations to stop the buildup of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning items to maintain hygiene.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Adopting appropriate disposal techniques for pet waste supplies several benefits:
Minimized environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal techniques reduce the danger of environmental pollution, securing rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Minimized danger of water contamination.
By preventing flushing pet waste down the commode, the danger of water contamination is considerably decreased, guarding public health.
Boosted sanitation and hygiene
Proper disposal approaches promote much better hygiene and hygiene, producing a more secure atmosphere for both human beings and pets.
Conclusion
Finally, flushing pet waste down the commode is damaging to the environment and public health. By embracing different disposal methods and complying with proper waste administration practices, we can minimize the negative effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, much healthier planet.
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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