Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann raise awareness about the impact of flushing damaging items down the toilet at World Ocean Day Celebration with Killiney Bay Community Council
Last Saturday, the 6th of May, Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann participated in the World Ocean Day celebration, organised by the Killiney Bay Community Council. This 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 wet wipes 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 rivers, lakes, coastal waters and beaches.
Organised by the wonderful volunteers of Killiney Bay Community Council, the celebration for World Ocean Day highlighted the wonderful biodiversity along Ireland’s coastline. The community group additionally organised a local beach clean. The Think Before You Flush team operated an information stand and gave a talk, inviting locals to engage in discussions about marine litter, wastewater treatment, and ways to safeguard our wastewater network and coastal habitats.
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, FOGs 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 event Aisling from Clean Coasts said: “We are thrilled to have been invited by the Killiney Bay Community Council to celebrate World Ocean Day. Connecting with local communities through events, like this celebration, is key to the success of the Think Before You Flush campaign. By only flushing the 3 Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet, we can eliminate sewage-related litter. Through thoughtful actions such as these, we can all work together to protect our precious marine environments.”