Learning the Harms of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
Learning the Harms of Flushing Animal Waste Down the Toilet
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How do you really feel with regards to Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns?
When it pertains to dealing with waste, particularly animal waste, many people typically consider the convenient option of flushing it down the commode. Nevertheless, this seemingly simple solution can have significant effects for the environment and public health. In this article, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the commode is a negative idea and supply alternative methods for correct disposal.
Introduction
Correct waste disposal is vital for preserving ecological sustainability and public health. While it may appear safe to flush animal waste down the toilet, it can cause different issues, both for the environment and human health.
Risks of flushing pet waste
Ecological effect
Purging animal waste introduces dangerous germs and pathogens right into waterways, which can adversely affect aquatic environments. These microorganisms can pollute water resources and injury aquatic life, interfering with delicate environments.
Public health issues
Pet waste contains dangerous microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can pose severe health dangers to human beings. Purging pet waste down the bathroom can infect water materials, bring about the spread of diseases and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
As opposed to flushing pet waste down the toilet, there are a number of alternative disposal methods that are much more environmentally friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an eco-friendly way to deal with it. By composting, organic matter is broken down into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to fertilize yards and plants.
Land fill disposal
Dealing with pet waste in a garbage dump is an additional choice. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a more secure option to flushing, as it stops the contamination of water resources.
Family pet waste disposal systems
There are specialized pet dog garbage disposal systems available that safely and hygienically deal with pet waste. These systems often use enzymes to break down waste and remove odors.
Steps to proper animal waste disposal
To make certain correct disposal of animal waste, adhere to these steps:
Scooping and getting waste
Frequently scoop and bag animal waste using eco-friendly bags. This avoids waste from contaminating the setting.
Making use of assigned waste containers
Dispose of bagged pet waste in marked waste containers, such as compost bins or land fill bins. Avoid flushing it down the commode in any way prices.
Cleaning up can and pet dog locations on a regular basis
Consistently clean can and pet dog areas to stop the accumulation of waste and bacteria. Usage pet-safe cleansing products to maintain health.
Benefits of proper disposal techniques
Taking on correct disposal methods for animal waste supplies a number of advantages:
Lowered environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal methods decrease the threat of environmental pollution, securing rivers and environments from contamination
Lessened threat of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing animal waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is significantly reduced, guarding public health.
Boosted cleanliness and health
Correct disposal techniques advertise better hygiene and hygiene, creating a safer atmosphere for both human beings and animals.
Final thought
Finally, purging animal waste down the toilet is dangerous to the atmosphere and public health. By embracing alternative disposal techniques and complying with appropriate waste administration techniques, we can lessen the adverse effect of animal 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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