The Perils of Animal Waste in the Toilet
The Perils of Animal Waste in the Toilet
Blog Article
Everyone will have their private rationale when it comes to Don't Flush Your Pets Poo Down The Loo, Vet Warns.
When it concerns getting rid of waste, specifically animal waste, lots of people typically resort to the practical option of flushing it down the bathroom. Nonetheless, this relatively very easy option can have serious effects for the environment and public health. In this short article, we'll discover why flushing pet waste down the commode is a bad idea and supply alternate techniques for correct disposal.
Introduction
Appropriate waste disposal is critical for preserving environmental sustainability and public health. While it might seem safe to flush animal waste down the commode, it can bring about numerous issues, both for the environment and human health.
Risks of flushing animal waste
Environmental impact
Flushing pet waste introduces dangerous germs and virus into rivers, which can negatively affect water ecosystems. These pathogens can contaminate water sources and damage marine life, interfering with fragile ecological communities.
Public health problems
Pet waste has damaging microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella, which can pose serious wellness threats to people. Purging pet waste down the toilet can pollute water supplies, resulting in the spread of illness and infections.
Alternatives to flushing
As opposed to purging pet waste down the commode, there are numerous different disposal approaches that are much more eco-friendly and sanitary.
Composting
Composting pet waste is a green means to deal with it. By composting, organic matter is broken down right into nutrient-rich soil, which can be made use of to fertilize gardens and plants.
Garbage dump disposal
Dealing with pet waste in a land fill is another alternative. While not as environmentally friendly as composting, it is a much safer alternative to flushing, as it protects against the contamination of water sources.
Animal waste disposal systems
There are customized animal waste disposal systems offered that safely and hygienically throw away pet waste. These systems frequently make use of enzymes to break down waste and remove odors.
Actions to appropriate pet waste disposal
To make sure proper disposal of animal waste, follow these actions:
Scooping and landing waste
Consistently scoop and bag animal waste making use of eco-friendly bags. This avoids waste from polluting the environment.
Making use of designated waste containers
Dispose of bagged pet waste in designated waste containers, such as garden compost containers or landfill bins. Avoid flushing it down the bathroom in any way expenses.
Cleaning litter boxes and pet dog locations frequently
Regularly tidy can and pet locations to avoid the accumulation of waste and microorganisms. Use pet-safe cleansing items to maintain hygiene.
Advantages of proper disposal techniques
Taking on correct disposal approaches for animal waste provides numerous advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal approaches lower the risk of environmental pollution, securing waterways and communities from contamination
Lessened threat of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing animal waste down the bathroom, the threat of water contamination is substantially reduced, securing public health.
Improved cleanliness and hygiene
Correct disposal approaches promote better sanitation and health, creating a much safer atmosphere for both human beings and animals.
Conclusion
To conclude, flushing pet waste down the commode is harmful to the setting and public health. By taking on different disposal methods and following correct waste management methods, we can reduce the adverse influence of pet waste and contribute to a cleaner, 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
Regularly tidy can and pet locations to avoid the accumulation of waste and microorganisms. Use pet-safe cleansing items to maintain hygiene.
Advantages of proper disposal techniques
Taking on correct disposal approaches for animal waste provides numerous advantages:
Decreased environmental pollution
Appropriate disposal approaches lower the risk of environmental pollution, securing waterways and communities from contamination
Lessened threat of water contamination.
By staying clear of flushing animal waste down the bathroom, the threat of water contamination is substantially reduced, securing public health.
Improved cleanliness and hygiene
Correct disposal approaches promote better sanitation and health, creating a much safer atmosphere for both human beings and animals.
Conclusion
To conclude, flushing pet waste down the commode is harmful to the setting and public health. By taking on different disposal methods and following correct waste management methods, we can reduce the adverse influence of pet waste and contribute to a cleaner, 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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