The Think Before You Flush team were delighted to meet Tidy Towns volunteers from groups in Kerry in Ballygarry Hotel, Tralee last week for their annual Tidy Towns seminar. The Think Before You Flush campaign is a public awareness campaign run by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann. The main message of the campaign is simple, only flush the 3Ps, that’s pee, poo and paper, down the toilet and throw all other waste in the bin. Flushing unsuitable items down the toilet can result in blockages and the possibility of sewage related litter, such as wipes, cotton buds, hair and dental floss, ending up in our waterways and on our beautiful beaches, of which Kerry boasts many. This litter can impact the marine life that inhabits the waterways and the habitats they rely on for their survival.
The Think Before You Flush team had an information stand at the event where the conversations centred around sewage related litter in local towns and beaches and the responsibility we all have in our homes to help keep our waterways litter free. The team also talked about the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. These FOGs can combine with other sewage related litter to form fatbergs. Uisce Éireann clears thousands of blockages including fatbergs from the wastewater network every year. The Think Before Pour campaign asks everyone to never pour FOGs down the drain but to dispose of them in the bin once cool.
Uisce Éireann’s Head of Wastewater Operations, Nuala Woods commended the efforts of Tidy Towns groups across Kerry, adding: “We know from our research that attitudes and flushing behaviours are changing for the better but there is still work to do. We are asking people to always Think Before You Flush and take a simple action such as putting a bin in the bathroom. Working with community groups such as Tidy Towns is a powerful way to spread this message. Similar to Tidy Towns, Uisce Éireann is focused on improving the local environment for the benefit of all.”
Elaine from Clean Coasts who was at the event said. “I have great respect for the work the Tidy Towns groups do all around the country, so I was delighted to attend the seminar in Tralee last week. The room was full of energy and experience. There is such power in community and these groups are excellent at spreading messages that will resonate with their communities for the betterment of those living there. It is always wonderful to attend local events to speak about our work, this is where real change can occur.”