Learning the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Learning the Hazards of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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What are your thoughts and feelings about Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns?
When it pertains to dealing with waste, especially animal waste, many individuals commonly consider the practical alternative of flushing it down the toilet. However, this seemingly easy solution can have serious effects for the atmosphere and public health. In this short article, we'll explore why flushing pet waste down the toilet is a poor concept and supply alternative techniques for correct disposal.
Introduction
Appropriate garbage disposal is vital for maintaining environmental sustainability and public health. While it might appear safe to flush animal waste down the commode, it can lead to different issues, both for the atmosphere and human wellness.
Dangers of flushing animal waste
Environmental influence
Purging animal waste presents hazardous microorganisms and microorganisms into rivers, which can adversely influence marine ecological communities. These pathogens can contaminate water sources and harm aquatic life, interrupting delicate ecosystems.
Public health concerns
Animal waste consists of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can present significant health threats to humans. Purging animal waste down the commode can infect water products, bring about the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Instead of purging pet waste down the bathroom, there are numerous alternative disposal methods that are much more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environment-friendly method to get rid of it. By composting, raw material is broken down right into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to feed yards and plants.
Garbage dump disposal
Getting rid of animal waste in a land fill is one more option. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a much safer alternative to flushing, as it protects against the contamination of water resources.
Family pet waste disposal systems
There are specialized pet garbage disposal systems readily available that securely and hygienically dispose of animal waste. These systems typically use enzymes to break down waste and eliminate odors.
Actions to appropriate animal garbage disposal
To make certain correct disposal of pet waste, follow these steps:
Scooping and bagging waste
On a regular basis scoop and bag animal waste making use of biodegradable bags. This avoids waste from polluting the atmosphere.
Making use of marked waste containers
Dispose of bagged animal waste in marked waste bins, such as compost containers or garbage dump containers. Avoid flushing it down the bathroom at all expenses.
Cleaning up litter boxes and animal areas on a regular basis
On a regular basis clean can and animal areas to prevent the accumulation of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleansing products to maintain hygiene.
Benefits of correct disposal techniques
Taking on appropriate disposal methods for pet waste provides several advantages:
Reduced environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal methods minimize the danger of environmental pollution, securing rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Lessened threat of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is significantly lowered, guarding public health.
Enhanced sanitation and hygiene
Correct disposal methods advertise better sanitation and health, producing a safer atmosphere for both human beings and animals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, flushing pet waste down the toilet is damaging to the atmosphere and public health. By embracing different disposal methods and complying with appropriate waste monitoring methods, we can lessen the unfavorable impact of pet waste and contribute to a cleaner, much 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
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