What are your beliefs about Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns?
When it comes to throwing away waste, especially animal waste, many individuals frequently consider the hassle-free alternative of flushing it down the toilet. Nevertheless, this seemingly easy solution can have serious repercussions for the atmosphere and public health. In this write-up, we'll discover why flushing pet waste down the toilet is a bad idea and supply alternative methods for correct disposal.
Introduction
Correct garbage disposal is important for keeping environmental sustainability and public health. While it may appear harmless to purge animal waste down the commode, it can cause numerous problems, both for the environment and human health.
Risks of flushing animal waste
Ecological influence
Flushing pet waste presents dangerous bacteria and virus into waterways, which can negatively influence aquatic environments. These pathogens can contaminate water resources and harm marine life, interfering with delicate environments.
Public health worries
Pet waste consists of unsafe microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can posture major health risks to human beings. Flushing animal waste down the commode can infect water supplies, bring about the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than flushing pet waste down the bathroom, there are a number of alternate disposal methods that are much more eco-friendly and hygienic.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an eco-friendly means to throw away it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to feed gardens and plants.
Land fill disposal
Disposing of animal waste in a garbage dump is an additional alternative. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a much safer option to flushing, as it prevents the contamination of water resources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are specific family pet waste disposal systems readily available that securely and hygienically throw away animal waste. These systems often use enzymes to break down waste and remove smells.
Steps to proper animal waste disposal
To make sure proper disposal of animal waste, adhere to these actions:
Scooping and getting waste
Routinely scoop and bag animal waste using biodegradable bags. This stops waste from polluting the atmosphere.
Using marked waste containers
Dispose of bagged pet waste in marked waste bins, such as compost bins or landfill bins. Avoid flushing it down the bathroom at all costs.
Cleansing litter boxes and pet locations consistently
On a regular basis clean can and animal areas to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleansing items to keep hygiene.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Taking on appropriate disposal approaches for pet waste provides several advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal techniques reduce the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and communities from contamination
Reduced risk of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the bathroom, the risk of water contamination is substantially lowered, securing public health.
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Correct disposal techniques advertise far better cleanliness and health, creating a more secure atmosphere for both humans and animals.
Verdict
In conclusion, flushing animal waste down the bathroom is unsafe to the atmosphere and public health. By taking on alternative disposal techniques and complying with proper waste management practices, we can minimize the negative effect of pet waste and contribute 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 can and animal areas to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleansing items to keep hygiene.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Taking on appropriate disposal approaches for pet waste provides several advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal techniques reduce the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and communities from contamination
Reduced risk of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the bathroom, the risk of water contamination is substantially lowered, securing public health.
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Correct disposal techniques advertise far better cleanliness and health, creating a more secure atmosphere for both humans and animals.
Verdict
In conclusion, flushing animal waste down the bathroom is unsafe to the atmosphere and public health. By taking on alternative disposal techniques and complying with proper waste management practices, we can minimize the negative effect of pet waste and contribute 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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