Our Risks of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Our Risks of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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We've noticed this post about Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns down the page on the net and reckoned it made sense to share it with you over here.
When it comes to getting rid of waste, particularly animal waste, many people frequently turn to the practical option of flushing it down the commode. Nevertheless, this apparently simple option can have severe consequences for the environment and public health. In this write-up, we'll explore why flushing animal waste down the toilet is a poor concept and supply different methods for correct disposal.
Intro
Appropriate garbage disposal is vital for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it might appear safe to purge animal waste down the toilet, it can cause various concerns, both for the setting and human health.
Dangers of flushing animal waste
Environmental influence
Purging animal waste introduces dangerous germs and pathogens right into waterways, which can negatively affect aquatic environments. These pathogens can contaminate water sources and damage aquatic life, disrupting fragile ecological communities.
Public health issues
Animal waste has dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can position serious health and wellness risks to humans. Purging animal waste down the bathroom can contaminate water supplies, resulting in the spread of illness and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than purging animal waste down the commode, there are a number of alternate disposal techniques that are much more eco-friendly and hygienic.
Composting
Composting pet waste is a green means to deal with it. By composting, raw material is broken down right into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be made use of to feed yards and plants.
Land fill disposal
Dealing with pet waste in a landfill is another option. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a safer alternative to flushing, as it prevents the contamination of water sources.
Pet dog garbage disposal systems
There are specialized animal waste disposal systems available that securely and hygienically take care of pet waste. These systems usually utilize enzymes to break down waste and remove odors.
Steps to proper pet waste disposal
To make sure proper disposal of pet waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and getting waste
Routinely scoop and bag animal waste making use of eco-friendly bags. This avoids waste from polluting the setting.
Using assigned waste bins
Dispose of bagged animal waste in assigned waste bins, such as compost bins or garbage dump containers. Avoid flushing it down the toilet whatsoever costs.
Cleaning can and family pet areas routinely
Consistently tidy can and family pet areas to stop the build-up of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleansing products to preserve hygiene.
Advantages of appropriate disposal approaches
Adopting correct disposal approaches for animal waste uses numerous benefits:
Minimized environmental pollution
Correct disposal methods minimize the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and environments from contamination
Decreased threat of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the commode, the threat of water contamination is significantly reduced, protecting public health.
Enhanced sanitation and health
Appropriate disposal techniques promote far better hygiene and health, creating a safer atmosphere for both people and pets.
Conclusion
Finally, flushing animal waste down the toilet is hazardous to the environment and public health. By adopting alternative disposal methods and adhering to correct waste monitoring techniques, we can lessen the adverse effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, much 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
Consistently tidy can and family pet areas to stop the build-up of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleansing products to preserve hygiene.
Advantages of appropriate disposal approaches
Adopting correct disposal approaches for animal waste uses numerous benefits:
Minimized environmental pollution
Correct disposal methods minimize the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and environments from contamination
Decreased threat of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the commode, the threat of water contamination is significantly reduced, protecting public health.
Enhanced sanitation and health
Appropriate disposal techniques promote far better hygiene and health, creating a safer atmosphere for both people and pets.
Conclusion
Finally, flushing animal waste down the toilet is hazardous to the environment and public health. By adopting alternative disposal methods and adhering to correct waste monitoring techniques, we can lessen the adverse effect of animal waste and add to a cleaner, much 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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