On Saturday, July 26th, 2025 Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann headed to Strandhill to speak with the local community on all things sewage related litter. The evening 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 the 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.
Ocean Safety and Awareness Day is an family-friendly event organised by Sligo County Council, featuring live demonstrations from emergency and rescue services, ocean education experiences, water safety lectures, and family fun activities like face painting. Olivia Jones, from Clean Coasts hosted a Think Before You Flush stall and facilitated a beach clean, demonstrating the importance of only flushing the 3 P’s down the toilet.
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 event Olivia Jones from Clean Coasts said: “We are delighted to be in Strandhill and engage in conversations about the Think Before You Flush campaign with members of the community and visitors alike. 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.”