Many users use the toilet as a rubbish bin that will get rid of all their bulky waste. Just by flushing the toilet, they think they can eliminate them forever. However, this gesture, although it may seem trivial to you, can have serious ecological and economic consequences. Discover one of the objects that absolutely should not be flushed down the toilet.
For many people, the toilet is a solution to get rid of all the little unnecessary or worn things in the bathroom. However, this practice should be prohibited, because it can have serious consequences that you will discover in the following lines.
What is this item that you absolutely must not flush down the toilet?
Many objects are collected daily by sewage treatment services. Among these residues, there is one product in particular that, due to its size and appearance, does not seem to present any risk.
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Wipes in the toilet
Wipes flushed down the toilet – Source: spm
Wipes are part of the waste that often ends up in sewage networks. Whether disinfectant or for babies, these pieces of biodegradable fabric degrade after three months, long enough to sustain significant damage. As indicated by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME, wipes flushed down the toilet mix with other viscous materials and block the filtering mechanisms of treatment plants. In addition, being full of chemical compounds such as cellulose, viscose and polyester, they can form very resistant caps that are difficult to remove. The only good way to dispose of them is to deposit them in a container destined for landfill or incineration, since they cannot be recycled.
Other waste that should not be flushed down the toilet bowl
Just like baby wipes, other products you use in your bathroom can also clog toilet drains and have negative consequences for the environment. Very often, they clog pipes and cause significant environmental damage and are dangerous for marine animals. Here are some.
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Sanitary towels and tampons in the bathrooms.
The menstrual cycle is often accompanied by the use of sanitary pads and tampons. These cotton fiber products can clog sewage pipes and pumps. In addition, they release toxic substances for the environment such as pesticides, dioxins and phthalates. In addition, they will take 500 years to completely disintegrate in nature.
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Toilet paper rolls in the toilet
Toilet paper rolls – Source: spm
Although most are biodegradable, toilet paper rolls are also among the items that should not be flushed down the toilet. Although these products disintegrate quickly, they do not completely disappear. They often end up in treatment plants and cause deposits. Instead of flushing them down the toilet, put the cardboard rolls in the trash, more precisely in the yellow bin intended for recycling.
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Condoms and contact lenses in the bathroom.
Both condoms and contact lenses are made from plastic materials such as latex. These products are often found in sewage sludge. As it is not biodegradable, they can easily clog drains not to mention the danger they pose to animals that might ingest them. As they are not recyclable, please dispose of them in household rubbish bins instead.
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Cat litter in the bathroom
Cat litter – Source: spm
If you have a habit of pouring kitty litter down the toilet bowl, change your habits. In fact, flushing the toilet once will never be enough to completely evacuate a litter. Composed of an absorbent element, Trash can easily swell in water and cause drain blockages and large overflows. For sanitary reasons, it must be placed in a special bag before disposing of it with non-recyclable household waste.
You already know the main objects that should never be flushed down the toilet. Therefore, it is recommended to follow classification advice and use suitable containers to limit damage and minimize environmental risks.
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