On Wednesday the 23rd of October, Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann visited Sligo University Hospital in Sligo Town to attend their annual Sustainability Week hosted by the Environmental Coordination Team. The TBYF stall encouraged people of all ages to cultivate responsible flushing behaviors and to pledge their commitment to the “Think Before You Flush” campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of flushing sanitary products and other damaging items down the toilet and to promote responsible waste management practices.
The “Think Before You Flush” campaign, operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann, emphasises the importance of appropriate flushing behaviour and disposal of items including wipes and other sanitary products in the bin, even if they are labelled as flushable. Only the 3 Ps, pee, poo and paper should be flushed down the toilet. When items such as wet wipes are flushed down the toilet, they can cause serious blockages in sewage systems, causing sewage overflows and ultimately polluting our coastal waters and beaches.
Sustainability Week is an annual event which occurs each year to celebrate Sligo Hospitals An Taisce Green Flag. The Green Flag recognises the commitment of hospital management and staff, HSE Estates, the NUI Galway Medical Academy, and the hospital’s Green Campus Committee in developing the institution as a healthcare facility that delivers high-quality care and improved health and wellbeing in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. The day featured a number of stalls all delivering unique information on sustainability in the North West. The TBYF stall discussed marine litter, wastewater treatment, and ways to safeguard our wastewater network and coastal habitats. Throughout the day the TBYF team were able to engage with all of the festival participants, discussing the damaging impacts of flushing non organic items down the toilet alongside conducting some experiments and games with the children.
The team also discussed the Think Before You Pour campaign that looks at the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. Instead of flowing freely, FOG’s cool and harden as they travel along the wastewater network. When FOGs 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 FOGs down the kitchen drain and, instead, dispose of them in the bin once cool.
Speaking about the evening Sinéad Keogh from Clean Coasts said: “We are thankful to the environmental team at Sligo University Hospital for inviting us to be part of this celebration. We are delighted to be in Sligo and engage in conversations about the Think Before You Flush campaign with every member of the community. Sewage-related litter poses a real burden on our wastewater network and marine environment. The wonderful news is that the solution is straightforward. Only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet. Everything else belongs in the bin. Through collaboration, we can support better flushing behaviour and deliver a tangible positive impact on our natural environment.”