The Dangers of Animal Waste in the Toilet
The Dangers of Animal Waste in the Toilet
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Every person is bound to have their unique piece of advice when it comes to 10 Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet.
When it concerns getting rid of waste, particularly animal waste, many people commonly turn to the convenient choice of flushing it down the toilet. However, this seemingly very easy option can have major repercussions for the environment and public health. In this write-up, we'll explore why flushing pet waste down the bathroom is a negative idea and offer alternative techniques for correct disposal.
Introduction
Correct waste disposal is vital for maintaining environmental sustainability and public health. While it may appear safe to flush animal waste down the toilet, it can lead to different concerns, both for the environment and human well-being.
Dangers of flushing pet waste
Ecological impact
Purging animal waste presents unsafe germs and virus right into waterways, which can adversely influence aquatic communities. These microorganisms can infect water sources and damage aquatic life, disrupting delicate ecological communities.
Public health concerns
Pet waste consists of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can pose significant wellness risks to people. Flushing pet waste down the commode can contaminate water products, bring about the spread of illness and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than purging animal waste down the toilet, there are several alternate disposal methods that are a lot more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environment-friendly means to take care of it. By composting, organic matter is broken down into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be used to fertilize yards and plants.
Land fill disposal
Disposing of pet waste in a landfill is one more choice. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a more secure alternative to flushing, as it prevents the contamination of water sources.
Pet dog garbage disposal systems
There are customized family pet waste disposal systems available that safely and hygienically dispose of pet waste. These systems frequently use enzymes to break down waste and remove smells.
Actions to appropriate animal waste disposal
To make sure appropriate disposal of animal waste, adhere to these steps:
Scooping and landing waste
Routinely scoop and bag animal waste using naturally degradable bags. This prevents waste from infecting the environment.
Utilizing assigned waste containers
Dispose of bagged animal waste in assigned waste bins, such as compost containers or landfill bins. Stay clear of flushing it down the commode in any way expenses.
Cleansing can and pet locations consistently
Routinely clean can and pet areas to prevent the accumulation of waste and microorganisms. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to keep health.
Benefits of proper disposal approaches
Adopting appropriate disposal approaches for pet waste supplies a number of benefits:
Reduced environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods reduce the risk of environmental pollution, protecting rivers and ecological communities from contamination
Decreased threat of water contamination.
By preventing flushing pet waste down the bathroom, the danger of water contamination is significantly decreased, safeguarding public health.
Enhanced cleanliness and hygiene
Proper disposal techniques advertise much better cleanliness and health, developing a more secure atmosphere for both people and animals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, purging animal waste down the commode is harmful to the atmosphere and public health. By adopting alternate disposal techniques and following appropriate waste administration practices, we can lessen the negative impact of animal waste and contribute to a cleaner, healthier earth.
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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