Everything you put down the sink, drain or toilet goes into our wastewater system, which, after some treatment at the sewage works, then heads straight for our water system, and ultimately our wetlands.
£88 million pounds is spent on cleaning drains and sewers across the UK each year. Blockages can cause flooding, environmental damage as well as potentially expensive blockages in your own toilets. They can pollute our water and damage wetland species including fish and amphibians.
Bleach is not a nice chemical for humans, plus it hangs around in our environment with long-term consequences for our wetlands. Look for lower impact products, or make your own with our guide below.
Including those marked as ‘flushable’ and ‘biodegradable’. All wipes cause blockages and contribute to a whopping 93% of sewer blockages. As well as playing havoc with our sewage systems they end up in wetlands and on beaches. Most wipes contain tiny plastic fibres, which, when they eventually break down, will harm fish and other marine life. Put it in the bin instead. Or use a reusable flannel or similar.
If you’ve ever seen the images of a fatberg or had a blocked drain you’ll know why! They form when fats, oils and greases (FOGS) are poured down drains and coagulate with the things we throw down toilets like sanitary products and wipes. This creates a pale rock-like substance like something from your worst nightmares that blocks the flow of the sewer.
Sanitary products take many years to biodegrade and the average woman uses 11,000 tampons in their lifetime. There are lots of reusable alternatives on the market. But if you do use single use items, bag them and bin them, never flush them down the toilet as they cause blockages and may end up on beaches and in wetlands.
Invisible to the human eye but deadly to our wetland species and habitats, these tiny plastic fibres leave with the wastewater every time your washing machine empties. They are found in synthetic fabrics including polyester and nylon. Minimise the impact by filling your washing machine each time you use it, washing at low temperatures and using specialised wash bags that help trap microfibres.
Our sewage works simply cannot treat the myriad pharmaceuticals in use. Return them to your pharmacy instead.
When you tip that bucket of soapy water down the drain the chemicals in your cleaning fluid are washed into our water system just like everything else.
There are some great products on the market that contain less chemical nasties than standard products. Better still try ditching the cleaning products all together and make your own.
Here’s what you’ll need for different types of cleaning: