Discovering the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Discovering the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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We've discovered this post about 10 Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet below on the net and accepted it made perfect sense to discuss it with you in this article.
When it involves throwing away waste, particularly animal waste, many people often resort to the practical option of flushing it down the bathroom. However, this apparently simple service can have serious consequences for the atmosphere and public health. In this article, we'll check out why flushing pet waste down the bathroom is a bad concept and offer alternative techniques for appropriate disposal.
Introduction
Correct waste disposal is critical for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it may seem harmless to purge animal waste down the commode, it can result in various concerns, both for the atmosphere and human health.
Threats of flushing pet waste
Environmental impact
Flushing animal waste introduces damaging bacteria and virus into waterways, which can adversely affect water ecosystems. These pathogens can pollute water resources and injury marine life, interfering with delicate communities.
Public health concerns
Animal waste includes dangerous microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can posture major health risks to human beings. Flushing animal waste down the commode can pollute water supplies, causing the spread of conditions and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Instead of flushing animal waste down the commode, there are several different disposal approaches that are a lot more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is a green method to take care of it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to feed yards and plants.
Garbage dump disposal
Disposing of animal waste in a land fill is another alternative. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a more secure option to flushing, as it stops the contamination of water resources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are specific pet dog waste disposal systems available that safely and hygienically take care of pet waste. These systems commonly use enzymes to break down waste and remove odors.
Actions to appropriate animal garbage disposal
To ensure appropriate disposal of animal waste, adhere to these steps:
Scooping and getting waste
Routinely scoop and bag pet waste utilizing eco-friendly bags. This stops waste from polluting the atmosphere.
Using designated waste bins
Dispose of bagged pet waste in marked waste containers, such as garden compost bins or garbage dump containers. Prevent flushing it down the toilet whatsoever costs.
Cleaning up litter boxes and pet areas regularly
On a regular basis clean litter boxes and family pet locations to stop the build-up of waste and microorganisms. Use pet-safe cleaning items to keep hygiene.
Advantages of proper disposal techniques
Taking on proper disposal techniques for pet waste provides several advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal approaches decrease the risk of environmental pollution, safeguarding waterways and environments from contamination
Lessened danger of water contamination.
By preventing flushing animal waste down the commode, the threat of water contamination is significantly reduced, guarding public health.
Boosted cleanliness and health
Appropriate disposal techniques promote much better hygiene and hygiene, creating a safer atmosphere for both people and pets.
Final thought
Finally, purging pet waste down the toilet is unsafe to the atmosphere and public health. By taking on different disposal methods and complying with appropriate waste administration practices, we can decrease the negative impact 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
On a regular basis clean litter boxes and family pet locations to stop the build-up of waste and microorganisms. Use pet-safe cleaning items to keep hygiene.
Advantages of proper disposal techniques
Taking on proper disposal techniques for pet waste provides several advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal approaches decrease the risk of environmental pollution, safeguarding waterways and environments from contamination
Lessened danger of water contamination.
By preventing flushing animal waste down the commode, the threat of water contamination is significantly reduced, guarding public health.
Boosted cleanliness and health
Appropriate disposal techniques promote much better hygiene and hygiene, creating a safer atmosphere for both people and pets.
Final thought
Finally, purging pet waste down the toilet is unsafe to the atmosphere and public health. By taking on different disposal methods and complying with appropriate waste administration practices, we can decrease the negative impact 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
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