Learning the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Learning the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Blog Article
Nearly everybody maintains their personal piece of advice involving 4 Reasons Why Dog Poop Cleanup is Important.
![Why you should never flush dog poop down the toilet](https://preview.redd.it/what-is-this-rodent-that-swam-up-my-toilet-v0-2o2r3ka4s40c1.jpg?auto=webp&s=2b9283d634c0addb6fdfce1a10ef1c89c8afb474)
When it concerns disposing of waste, particularly animal waste, many people commonly resort to the convenient alternative of flushing it down the commode. Nevertheless, this relatively simple service can have severe effects for the environment and public health. In this post, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the commode is a negative concept and supply different techniques for appropriate disposal.
Introduction
Correct waste disposal is important for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it might appear harmless to purge animal waste down the bathroom, it can result in numerous issues, both for the atmosphere and human well-being.
Threats of flushing pet waste
Ecological effect
Flushing pet waste presents damaging germs and microorganisms into rivers, which can adversely affect marine ecological communities. These virus can infect water resources and damage marine life, disrupting delicate environments.
Public health worries
Pet waste has unsafe bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can position serious wellness threats to human beings. Purging animal waste down the toilet can infect water supplies, bring about the spread of conditions and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
As opposed to flushing pet waste down the toilet, there are a number of different disposal methods that are extra 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 fertilize gardens and plants.
Landfill disposal
Taking care of pet waste in a landfill is another choice. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a safer option to flushing, as it avoids the contamination of water resources.
Pet garbage disposal systems
There are specific animal waste disposal systems offered that securely and hygienically take care of animal waste. These systems typically use enzymes to break down waste and remove odors.
Steps to proper pet waste disposal
To make certain proper disposal of animal waste, comply with these steps:
Scooping and getting waste
Routinely scoop and bag animal waste using naturally degradable bags. This avoids waste from infecting the atmosphere.
Using designated waste bins
Dispose of bagged animal waste in assigned waste containers, such as garden compost containers or landfill bins. Prevent flushing it down the commode in all expenses.
Cleaning can and animal locations on a regular basis
On a regular basis clean can and pet locations to prevent the buildup of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep hygiene.
Advantages of appropriate disposal approaches
Taking on proper disposal approaches for animal waste offers numerous advantages:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods reduce the danger of environmental pollution, securing waterways and ecosystems from contamination
Decreased risk of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is dramatically lowered, safeguarding public health.
Enhanced hygiene and hygiene
Proper disposal methods promote far better sanitation and hygiene, creating a more secure atmosphere for both humans and pets.
Verdict
In conclusion, purging pet waste down the commode is harmful to the setting and public health. By taking on alternative disposal techniques and complying with correct waste management techniques, we can lessen the unfavorable influence 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
![Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns](https://www.catster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/black-and-white-cat-sitting-on-the-toilet-bowl_New-Africa_Shutterstock.jpg)
On a regular basis clean can and pet locations to prevent the buildup of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep hygiene.
Advantages of appropriate disposal approaches
Taking on proper disposal approaches for animal waste offers numerous advantages:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods reduce the danger of environmental pollution, securing waterways and ecosystems from contamination
Decreased risk of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is dramatically lowered, safeguarding public health.
Enhanced hygiene and hygiene
Proper disposal methods promote far better sanitation and hygiene, creating a more secure atmosphere for both humans and pets.
Verdict
In conclusion, purging pet waste down the commode is harmful to the setting and public health. By taking on alternative disposal techniques and complying with correct waste management techniques, we can lessen the unfavorable influence 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
![Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns](https://www.catster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/black-and-white-cat-sitting-on-the-toilet-bowl_New-Africa_Shutterstock.jpg)
I ran across that page about 4 Reasons Why Dog Poop Cleanup is Important when scouting around the internet. Liked our review? Please share it. Let other people locate it. I enjoy reading our article about 4 Reasons Why Dog Poop Cleanup is Important.
Information Report this page