The Perils of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
The Perils of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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When it pertains to disposing of waste, particularly animal waste, many individuals frequently resort to the practical choice of flushing it down the toilet. However, this apparently very easy option can have major repercussions for the environment and public health. In this short article, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the bathroom is a bad idea and provide alternate methods for appropriate disposal.
Intro
Appropriate garbage disposal is vital for maintaining ecological sustainability and public health. While it might seem safe to purge animal waste down the bathroom, it can lead to different problems, both for the atmosphere and human wellness.
Risks of flushing animal waste
Environmental impact
Purging pet waste presents harmful microorganisms and virus right into rivers, which can negatively impact marine communities. These pathogens can infect water sources and harm aquatic life, disrupting fragile ecological communities.
Public health problems
Animal waste has unsafe germs such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can position significant health and wellness threats to humans. Flushing animal waste down the bathroom can pollute water materials, causing the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Instead of flushing pet waste down the commode, there are numerous different disposal approaches that are more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environment-friendly way to take care of it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to fertilize gardens and plants.
Land fill disposal
Taking care of pet waste in a garbage dump is an additional alternative. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a more secure option to flushing, as it avoids the contamination of water resources.
Family pet garbage disposal systems
There are specialized pet dog garbage disposal systems offered that safely and hygienically throw away pet waste. These systems frequently make use of enzymes to break down waste and remove smells.
Steps to appropriate animal garbage disposal
To ensure proper disposal of pet waste, adhere to these steps:
Scooping and landing waste
On a regular basis scoop and bag animal waste utilizing naturally degradable bags. This stops waste from polluting the environment.
Utilizing designated waste bins
Dispose of bagged animal waste in designated waste bins, such as garden compost bins or landfill bins. Avoid flushing it down the commode in any way expenses.
Cleansing litter boxes and pet areas on a regular basis
Frequently clean litter boxes and pet dog areas to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. Use pet-safe cleansing items to preserve health.
Advantages of appropriate disposal approaches
Adopting appropriate disposal techniques for animal waste uses numerous advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Proper disposal approaches minimize the risk of environmental pollution, securing waterways and ecosystems from contamination
Reduced risk of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the toilet, the threat of water contamination is substantially minimized, safeguarding public health.
Enhanced hygiene and hygiene
Appropriate disposal approaches promote better cleanliness and hygiene, developing a safer environment for both people and pets.
Verdict
Finally, flushing pet waste down the bathroom is harmful to the atmosphere and public health. By embracing alternate disposal techniques and complying with proper waste administration techniques, we can reduce the negative effect of animal waste and contribute 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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