Understanding Why Animal Waste Must Not Be Flushed Down the Toilet

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Should you flush animal waste down the toilet
When it concerns disposing of waste, especially animal waste, many people often turn to the hassle-free option of flushing it down the toilet. Nevertheless, this apparently very easy solution can have severe effects for the environment and public health. In this short article, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the commode is a negative idea and supply alternate techniques for correct disposal.

Intro


Correct waste disposal is important for keeping ecological sustainability and public health. While it may seem harmless to flush animal waste down the bathroom, it can cause different concerns, both for the environment and human health.

Risks of flushing pet waste


Environmental effect


Flushing animal waste presents dangerous bacteria and microorganisms right into rivers, which can adversely influence water communities. These microorganisms can pollute water sources and injury marine life, interfering with fragile ecosystems.

Public health issues


Pet waste contains hazardous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can present serious health and wellness dangers to people. Flushing pet waste down the commode can pollute water supplies, resulting in the spread of diseases and infections.

Alternatives to flushing


Instead of flushing pet waste down the bathroom, there are several alternative disposal approaches that are more eco-friendly and hygienic.

Composting


Composting animal waste is a green method to get rid of it. By composting, raw material is broken down into nutrient-rich soil, which can be utilized to fertilize yards and plants.

Garbage dump disposal


Disposing of animal waste in a landfill is another alternative. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a much safer option to flushing, as it protects against the contamination of water sources.

Family pet waste disposal systems


There are specific family pet garbage disposal systems readily available that securely and hygienically get rid of pet waste. These systems frequently use enzymes to break down waste and eliminate smells.

Steps to appropriate pet waste disposal


To make sure proper disposal of pet waste, adhere to these actions:

Scooping and nabbing waste


On a regular basis scoop and bag animal waste making use of biodegradable bags. This avoids waste from polluting the environment.

Making use of assigned waste containers


Dispose of bagged animal waste in marked waste bins, such as compost containers or land fill containers. Stay clear of flushing it down the bathroom in any way prices.

Cleaning up can and animal locations consistently
Consistently clean litter boxes and animal areas to stop the buildup of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleansing products to keep health.

Advantages of correct disposal approaches


Embracing correct disposal approaches for animal waste provides a number of advantages:

Decreased environmental pollution


Correct disposal techniques minimize the threat of environmental pollution, protecting waterways and ecosystems from contamination

Lessened threat of water contamination.


By staying clear of flushing animal waste down the toilet, the threat of water contamination is considerably reduced, guarding public health.

Enhanced cleanliness and health


Appropriate disposal approaches promote far better sanitation and health, developing a safer environment for both human beings and pets.

Conclusion


To conclude, flushing pet waste down the bathroom is unsafe to the atmosphere and public health. By embracing alternate disposal methods and complying with appropriate waste administration practices, we can decrease the unfavorable effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, 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


Why you should never flush dog poop down the toilet

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