Understanding the Dangers of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Understanding the Dangers of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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Almost everyone has got their unique idea on the subject of Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns.
When it concerns disposing of waste, specifically animal waste, lots of people frequently turn to the hassle-free choice of flushing it down the toilet. However, this apparently very easy solution can have major repercussions for the environment and public health. In this article, we'll explore why flushing animal waste down the commode is a negative idea and offer alternate methods for appropriate disposal.
Introduction
Correct waste disposal is important for maintaining ecological sustainability and public health. While it might appear harmless to flush animal waste down the toilet, it can result in various concerns, both for the atmosphere and human wellness.
Risks of flushing pet waste
Environmental influence
Purging animal waste presents unsafe germs and microorganisms into waterways, which can negatively affect marine environments. These microorganisms can pollute water resources and harm marine life, disrupting delicate ecosystems.
Public health problems
Pet waste consists of damaging germs such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can position serious health dangers to humans. Flushing animal waste down the toilet can infect water materials, causing the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
As opposed to purging pet waste down the toilet, there are numerous alternative disposal techniques that are more eco-friendly and hygienic.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environmentally friendly means to throw away it. By composting, raw material is broken down into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be utilized to fertilize yards and plants.
Land fill disposal
Taking care of animal waste in a landfill is an additional choice. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a safer choice to flushing, as it stops the contamination of water sources.
Pet dog waste disposal systems
There are customized animal garbage disposal systems readily available that safely and hygienically deal with pet waste. These systems typically use enzymes to break down waste and get rid of odors.
Steps to correct animal waste disposal
To make certain proper disposal of animal waste, adhere to these actions:
Scooping and bagging waste
Regularly scoop and bag pet waste making use of naturally degradable bags. This prevents waste from contaminating the setting.
Making use of marked waste bins
Dispose of bagged animal waste in designated waste bins, such as garden compost containers or landfill bins. Avoid flushing it down the commode in any way costs.
Cleansing litter boxes and pet dog areas regularly
Regularly tidy can and pet dog locations to stop the accumulation of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep health.
Benefits of correct disposal methods
Taking on appropriate disposal techniques for pet waste uses a number of advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Correct disposal approaches minimize the threat of environmental pollution, securing rivers and ecosystems from contamination
Reduced danger of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing pet waste down the bathroom, the threat of water contamination is considerably lowered, guarding public health.
Boosted cleanliness and hygiene
Appropriate disposal techniques advertise much better hygiene and health, creating a more secure atmosphere for both human beings and pets.
Conclusion
Finally, flushing animal waste down the commode is unsafe to the setting and public health. By embracing alternate disposal methods and following appropriate waste management techniques, we can decrease the negative impact of animal waste and add 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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