Think Before You Flush, a campaign operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann, recently joined Clean Coasts Ballynamona for a pair of Big Little Beach Clean events in Cork during May and June. Over 300 primary school students attended outdoor classrooms on Ardnahinch Beach in East Cork and Inchydoney Beach in West Cork for two days of outdoor activities, fun and education. The students learnt about ‘retro rubbish’ with Proinsias O Tuama from Clean Coasts Ballynamona, biodiversity from Dr. Michael John O Mahony, climate change with Kevin Motherway of CARO, enjoyed a Think Before You Flush workshop with Elaine Doyle from Clean Coasts and completed a beach clean.
The Think Before You Flush campaign is a public awareness initiative run by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann. The campaign, in its eighth year, focuses on the issue of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so, which include blockages in our homes, wastewater treatment networks and sewage related litter ending up in our waterways and on our coastline. Sewage related litter can impact water quality and the marine life that rely on our waterways for their food, habitat and well-being. The campaign’s central message is to only flush the 3Ps: pee, poo and paper down the toilet and to remember that all other waste belongs in the bin.
On the day Clean Coasts also discussed the Think Before You Pour campaign that looks at the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOG’s) from cooking down the kitchen sink. Instead of flowing freely, FOG’s cool and harden as they travel along the wastewater network. When FOG’s combine with sewage related litter such as wipes, hair and dental floss fatbergs can form. Uisce Éireann clears hundreds of blockages, including fatbergs, from the wastewater network every week. The Think Before Pour campaign urges everyone to avoid washing FOG’s down the kitchen drain and, instead, dispose of them in the bin once cool.
Speaking about the events Mary Hussey from Uisce Eireann said, “by partnering Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann’s Think Before You Flush campaign, we aim to foster a culture of environmental responsibility, where individuals can take proactive steps to protect our coastal habitats. The success of this campaign hinges on the participation and support of all stakeholders, including the public, beachgoers, residents, and tourists alike. We hope that the hard work, and positivity of everyone from Clean Coasts Ballynamona will inspire their local community”.
Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Development Officer for Cork, Kerry and Waterford said, “this is the 3rd year of the Big Little Beach Clean. It is such a high energy event that covers a wide variety of themes and activities creating a unique and rewarding experience for all the participating students. Events like these are fun and educational with benefits for both the brain and for nature. What more can you ask for?”.