Our Implications of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Our Implications of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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Almost everyone has got their unique rationale involving Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns.
When it involves getting rid of waste, especially animal waste, many individuals commonly consider the hassle-free option of flushing it down the toilet. Nonetheless, this apparently simple option can have severe repercussions for the environment and public health. In this article, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the commode is a negative concept and offer alternative approaches for appropriate disposal.
Intro
Proper garbage disposal is critical for preserving environmental sustainability and public health. While it might appear safe to flush animal waste down the bathroom, it can bring about different concerns, both for the setting and human health.
Threats of flushing pet waste
Environmental impact
Flushing pet waste introduces dangerous germs and microorganisms into rivers, which can negatively affect water environments. These microorganisms can pollute water sources and damage aquatic life, interrupting fragile environments.
Public health problems
Animal waste has damaging bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can present serious health dangers to human beings. Purging animal waste down the commode can pollute water materials, leading to the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Instead of purging animal waste down the toilet, there are numerous alternative disposal techniques that are much more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting pet waste is a green means to get rid of it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich soil, which can be utilized to feed gardens and plants.
Garbage dump disposal
Getting rid of pet waste in a land fill is one more option. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a safer choice to flushing, as it avoids the contamination of water sources.
Pet waste disposal systems
There are customized pet waste disposal systems offered that safely and hygienically get rid of animal waste. These systems typically use enzymes to break down waste and remove smells.
Steps to appropriate animal garbage disposal
To make sure appropriate disposal of animal waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and getting waste
Frequently scoop and bag animal waste making use of eco-friendly bags. This prevents waste from contaminating the setting.
Using assigned waste bins
Dispose of bagged pet waste in marked waste containers, such as garden compost containers or land fill bins. Prevent flushing it down the toilet at all expenses.
Cleaning litter boxes and pet dog areas frequently
Routinely clean litter boxes and family pet locations to prevent the accumulation of waste and germs. Use pet-safe cleaning products to preserve hygiene.
Benefits of proper disposal methods
Adopting proper disposal approaches for animal waste uses numerous benefits:
Decreased environmental pollution
Proper disposal techniques lower the risk of environmental pollution, securing waterways and environments from contamination
Reduced threat of water contamination.
By preventing flushing pet waste down the toilet, the risk of water contamination is considerably minimized, protecting public health.
Boosted cleanliness and hygiene
Appropriate disposal techniques advertise far better hygiene and health, developing a more secure setting for both humans and pets.
Verdict
Finally, purging animal waste down the toilet is dangerous to the setting and public health. By taking on alternate disposal methods and complying with proper waste monitoring practices, we can decrease the unfavorable impact of animal waste and add 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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