A Guide to Proper Disposal: Can You Flush Tampons?
Whether you’re at work, in public places, or at home, figuring out the best way to dispose of tampons can be unclear. While sanitary products are usually reserved for designated sanitary bins, many people wonder if tampons and pads can be flushed. Let’s explore why flushing tampons isn’t recommended. At B Hygienic, we’re committed to providing solutions for responsible disposal of sanitary products and breaking down stigmas around menstrual hygiene.The Impact of Flushing Tampons
Did you know that it’s estimated that between 1.5 to 2 billion menstrual products are flushed in the UK each year! This staggering number poses serious concerns for plumbing, the environment, and even health.
Imagine this: You flush a tampon or pad down the toilet, thinking that it will disappear like toilet paper. But here’s the thing, sanitary products are made to absorb and hold onto moisture, so they don’t break down easily in water. Before you know it, these items can clog up plumbing, leading to backups and overflows that are not only inconvenient but can also be expensive to repair.
The issue doesn’t stop at the plumbing within a property. Flushed sanitary products can travel through pipes and clog up the municipal sewer system, causing big-time blockages. This can lead to nasty sewage spills that that pose serious health and environmental hazards. Local councils spend significant resources addressing these clogs, which could be avoided with proper disposal practices.
Environmental Consequences
Flushing sanitary products has a ripple effect on our environment. When these items reach rivers, lakes, and oceans, they contribute to water pollution. Many sanitary products contain plastic (one estimate is that pads are made of up to 90% plastic), which can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, harming marine life and degrading ecosystems. By choosing to dispose of these products correctly, we help to protect our planet’s precious waterways.
Key Stats:
- It has been estimated that of the 4.3 billion menstrual products used each year in the UK between 1.5-2 billion are flushed. This equates to 35-47% of all used products.
- There are approximately 300,000 sewer blockages every year across the United Kingdom, costing roughly £100 million to address.
- The 2022 Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Beachwatch Report, found that sewage-related debris, which contains single-use period products, comprised 15% of the total litter items recorded on surveyed beaches throughout the UK.
- Sanitary items often contain plastics, which persist for long periods in the environment, breaking down over time into smaller and smaller pieces (eventually becoming microplastics).
Why Do People Flush Tampons?
A key issue in the proper disposal of sanitary products is that many people are unaware that sanitary products should not be flushed. There is a significant lack of awareness about the consequences of flushing these items. Other reasons for flushing include insufficient access to sanitary bins, bins being full, or not having a bathroom bin at home.
These factors highlight that tampon flushing is avoidable, and increasing awareness, education, and access to appropriate disposal facilities could greatly reduce the problem.
A Simple Solution
The solution is simple: use designated sanitary disposal units that are provided in restrooms. Sanitary disposal units are specifically designed to handle sanitary waste, ensuring that the waste is managed hygienically and responsibly. By using these units, we can prevent plumbing problems, reduce maintenance costs, and protect the environment.
Tampons should never be flushed. By providing proper disposal facilities and promoting awareness (ensuring that workplaces and public facilities have visible signs reminding users not to flush tampons), businesses and organisations can prevent plumbing problems, lower maintenance costs, and play a crucial role in reducing the impact of tampon waste on our environment.
Discover B Hygienic’s range of washroom hygiene services and together, let’s champion responsible disposal habits to protect our planet.
