What Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet Could be Harmful
Contact Us NowJust about everyone has their unique theory involving Why you should never flush dog poop down the toilet.
When it involves disposing of waste, especially animal waste, lots of people usually resort to the practical option of flushing it down the commode. However, this relatively easy solution can have significant repercussions for the environment and public health. In this short article, we'll explore why flushing animal waste down the toilet is a bad concept and supply alternative techniques for proper disposal.
Introduction
Proper garbage disposal is essential for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it might appear safe to purge animal waste down the bathroom, it can result in different problems, both for the setting and human health.
Risks of flushing animal waste
Environmental influence
Purging animal waste presents dangerous bacteria and virus right into waterways, which can adversely impact marine communities. These microorganisms can contaminate water sources and harm marine life, interrupting delicate ecological communities.
Public health issues
Animal waste contains hazardous microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can posture severe health dangers to people. Flushing pet waste down the commode can infect water supplies, resulting in the spread of illness and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than purging pet waste down the commode, there are numerous alternate disposal approaches that are much more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environmentally friendly means to deal with it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to feed gardens and plants.
Land fill disposal
Taking care of animal waste in a landfill is another option. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a much safer alternative to flushing, as it stops the contamination of water resources.
Animal garbage disposal systems
There are specific family pet garbage disposal systems offered that securely and hygienically dispose of pet waste. These systems usually make use of enzymes to break down waste and eliminate smells.
Actions to correct pet waste disposal
To make sure appropriate disposal of animal waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and getting waste
On a regular basis scoop and bag animal waste making use of naturally degradable bags. This avoids waste from polluting the atmosphere.
Utilizing designated waste containers
Dispose of bagged pet waste in assigned waste bins, such as compost bins or garbage dump containers. Stay clear of flushing it down the toilet at all expenses.
Cleaning up litter boxes and pet dog locations consistently
Frequently clean can and pet locations to stop the accumulation of waste and germs. Use pet-safe cleansing products to keep health.
Benefits of proper disposal techniques
Taking on appropriate disposal approaches for pet waste offers numerous advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Proper disposal approaches lower the danger of environmental pollution, shielding rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Decreased risk of water contamination.
By preventing flushing animal waste down the commode, the danger of water contamination is substantially reduced, safeguarding public health.
Improved cleanliness and health
Appropriate disposal approaches advertise much better cleanliness and health, producing a safer setting for both human beings and pets.
Final thought
Finally, purging pet waste down the commode is unsafe to the setting and public health. By embracing alternative disposal techniques and complying with proper waste management practices, we can decrease the negative effect of animal waste and contribute to a cleaner, healthier world.
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
Frequently clean can and pet locations to stop the accumulation of waste and germs. Use pet-safe cleansing products to keep health.
Benefits of proper disposal techniques
Taking on appropriate disposal approaches for pet waste offers numerous advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Proper disposal approaches lower the danger of environmental pollution, shielding rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Decreased risk of water contamination.
By preventing flushing animal waste down the commode, the danger of water contamination is substantially reduced, safeguarding public health.
Improved cleanliness and health
Appropriate disposal approaches advertise much better cleanliness and health, producing a safer setting for both human beings and pets.
Final thought
Finally, purging pet waste down the commode is unsafe to the setting and public health. By embracing alternative disposal techniques and complying with proper waste management practices, we can decrease the negative effect of animal waste and contribute to a cleaner, healthier world.
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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