What are your opinions with regards to Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns?
When it pertains to disposing of waste, especially animal waste, many individuals frequently resort to the hassle-free choice of flushing it down the commode. Nonetheless, this apparently very easy service can have significant effects for the environment and public health. In this post, we'll discover why flushing animal waste down the toilet is a poor concept and give alternative approaches for appropriate disposal.
Introduction
Appropriate waste disposal is vital for maintaining environmental sustainability and public health. While it may appear harmless to flush animal waste down the toilet, it can lead to numerous problems, both for the setting and human well-being.
Dangers of flushing animal waste
Environmental impact
Purging animal waste introduces harmful bacteria and pathogens into waterways, which can adversely influence aquatic environments. These pathogens can infect water sources and harm marine life, interfering with fragile ecosystems.
Public health problems
Animal waste has damaging microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can posture severe health and wellness threats to people. Purging pet waste down the toilet can contaminate water materials, resulting in the spread of conditions and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
Rather than flushing pet waste down the commode, there are a number of alternative disposal methods that are much more eco-friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting animal waste is an environment-friendly means to get rid of it. By composting, raw material is broken down right into nutrient-rich dirt, which can be made use of to feed gardens and plants.
Landfill disposal
Disposing of animal waste in a landfill is an additional alternative. While not as eco-friendly as composting, it is a more secure option to flushing, as it protects against the contamination of water resources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are specialized pet garbage disposal systems available that safely and hygienically get rid of animal waste. These systems commonly make use of enzymes to break down waste and get rid of smells.
Actions to proper animal waste disposal
To make sure appropriate disposal of animal waste, follow these steps:
Scooping and bagging waste
Frequently scoop and bag pet waste making use of eco-friendly bags. This prevents waste from infecting the setting.
Making use of assigned waste bins
Dispose of bagged pet waste in designated waste containers, such as compost bins or garbage dump containers. Avoid flushing it down the commode in any way prices.
Cleaning up litter boxes and pet dog locations routinely
On a regular basis clean can and animal areas to avoid the accumulation of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to maintain health.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Embracing proper disposal approaches for animal waste uses numerous benefits:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods lower the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and ecosystems from contamination
Reduced danger of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is significantly decreased, protecting public health.
Boosted sanitation and health
Correct disposal techniques advertise far better hygiene and hygiene, developing a more secure setting for both humans and animals.
Final thought
In conclusion, flushing pet waste down the commode is harmful to the environment and public health. By taking on alternate disposal approaches and adhering to proper waste management techniques, we can lessen the unfavorable influence of animal waste and contribute to a cleaner, 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
On a regular basis clean can and animal areas to avoid the accumulation of waste and germs. Usage pet-safe cleaning products to maintain health.
Advantages of correct disposal approaches
Embracing proper disposal approaches for animal waste uses numerous benefits:
Lowered environmental pollution
Proper disposal methods lower the threat of environmental pollution, safeguarding rivers and ecosystems from contamination
Reduced danger of water contamination.
By avoiding flushing pet waste down the toilet, the danger of water contamination is significantly decreased, protecting public health.
Boosted sanitation and health
Correct disposal techniques advertise far better hygiene and hygiene, developing a more secure setting for both humans and animals.
Final thought
In conclusion, flushing pet waste down the commode is harmful to the environment and public health. By taking on alternate disposal approaches and adhering to proper waste management techniques, we can lessen the unfavorable influence of animal waste and contribute to a cleaner, 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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