On Tuesday, September 23rd, The Think Before You Flush team headed to Sligo’s Atlantic Technological University to attend their annual Clubs and Societies Fair and talk to students about all thing’s sewage related litter. The event encouraged the students of ATU to cultivate responsible flushing behaviours 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 the disposal of items including wipes and other sanitary products in the bin, even if they are labelled as flushable. Only the 3 P’s (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 our plumbing, damage our waste-water networks and lead to sewage overflows that pollute our rivers, lakes, beaches and coastlines.
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 thousands of blockages, including fatbergs, from the wastewater network every year. 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 event Olivia Jones from Clean Coasts said: “We are delighted to visit ATU Sligo and engage in conversations about the Think Before You Flush campaign with the students. 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 P’s, thats 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.”
Patrick Cross, Campaign Officer for Think Before You Flush, had this to say: “This event is the first in a three-part series we are running at universities across the country in September and October. We will be at Trinity, Dublin on the 14th of October and UCC, Cork on the 16th. Both events fall during Climate Action Week. We think this is an apt occasion to discuss the importance of small changes that the young people of Ireland can make that can have a big impact on the health and vitality of our natural spaces.”
Beth Brown of ATU, who organised the event, added: “As a PhD researcher at ATU Sligo, Green Campus Committee member and all-round water-lover it’s been great collaborating with Clean Coasts to bring their Think Before You Flush campaign to the university. From hanging posters in the university toilets, collaborating on social media and delivering a stand at the Clubs and Societies Fair, we have delivered the campaign messaging to many students during their first week back on campus. The collaboration was also highlighted at our Green Flag raising ceremony, awarded by An Taisce to ATU earlier this year thanks to the dedication of the student-led Green Campus Committee. We’re looking forward to getting involved in the Clean Coasts National Big Beach Clean at Streedagh Beach on Friday the 26th of September. A huge thank you to everyone who supported and engaged with the campaign so far!”