The Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
The Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Blog Article
Each person seems to have their personal thinking involving Should you flush animal waste down the toilet.
When it pertains to getting rid of waste, especially animal waste, lots of people often consider the convenient option of flushing it down the commode. Nonetheless, this apparently easy solution can have significant effects for the atmosphere and public health. In this write-up, we'll check out why flushing pet waste down the toilet is a bad idea and supply different methods for proper disposal.
Intro
Correct waste disposal is important for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it might appear safe to flush animal waste down the bathroom, it can result in various problems, both for the atmosphere and human well-being.
Risks of flushing pet waste
Ecological effect
Flushing pet waste introduces hazardous bacteria and microorganisms right into rivers, which can adversely influence marine ecological communities. These virus can pollute water sources and damage marine life, interrupting delicate communities.
Public health issues
Animal waste consists of dangerous germs such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can posture major health risks to people. Purging animal waste down the toilet can infect water supplies, bring about the spread of conditions and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than purging animal waste down the toilet, there are numerous different disposal approaches that are more environmentally friendly and hygienic.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environmentally friendly way to deal with it. By composting, raw material is broken down into nutrient-rich soil, which can more info be made use of to fertilize yards and plants.
Landfill disposal
Getting rid of pet waste in a land fill is one more option. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a much safer option to flushing, as it protects against the contamination of water sources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are customized pet dog garbage disposal systems readily available that safely and hygienically dispose of animal waste. These systems frequently make use of enzymes to break down waste and get rid of smells.
Actions to appropriate pet waste disposal
To make certain appropriate disposal of animal waste, adhere to these actions:
Scooping and landing waste
On a regular basis scoop and bag animal waste utilizing biodegradable bags. This prevents waste from infecting the environment.
Utilizing designated waste bins
Dispose of bagged animal waste in assigned waste containers, such as garden compost containers or landfill bins. Avoid flushing it down the toilet at all prices.
Cleansing litter boxes and animal areas frequently
Routinely clean litter boxes and pet dog areas to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning items to preserve health.
Benefits of correct disposal techniques
Taking on appropriate disposal methods for pet waste uses a number of advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Correct disposal methods minimize the threat of environmental pollution, protecting rivers and environments from contamination
Minimized danger of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is dramatically reduced, safeguarding public health.
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Appropriate disposal techniques advertise far better hygiene and health, developing a more secure setting for both humans and animals.
Verdict
Finally, purging pet waste down the bathroom is damaging to the atmosphere and public health. By adopting different disposal approaches and adhering to appropriate waste monitoring methods, we can reduce the adverse effect of pet 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
Routinely clean litter boxes and pet dog areas to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning items to preserve health.
Benefits of correct disposal techniques
Taking on appropriate disposal methods for pet waste uses a number of advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Correct disposal methods minimize the threat of environmental pollution, protecting rivers and environments from contamination
Minimized danger of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is dramatically reduced, safeguarding public health.
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Appropriate disposal techniques advertise far better hygiene and health, developing a more secure setting for both humans and animals.
Verdict
Finally, purging pet waste down the bathroom is damaging to the atmosphere and public health. By adopting different disposal approaches and adhering to appropriate waste monitoring methods, we can reduce the adverse effect of pet 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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