Last Tuesday the 3rd of March, fifty-four children from three schools in Co. Sligo, Owenbeg NS, Dromore West NS and Colaiste Iascaigh took part in an educational beach day at Enniscrone beach.
The event was facilitated by Clean Coasts in collaboration with Creative Clusters, a nationwide initiative, working with schools for a two-year period on creative projects that address common issues or challenges.
The beach day was initiated to inspire students at the beginning of this creative process, and encouraged them to implement positive action on the coast such as beach cleans, engage with the coastal environment and discuss coastal issues. The students participated in four educational beach sessions, facilitated by Clean Coasts officers Olivia Jones and Auriel Robinson, including coastal biodiversity, maritime heritage, a beach clean and a sand sculpting session.
On the beach the students engaged in discussions about marine litter, wastewater treatment, and ways to safeguard our wastewater network and coastal habitats. The Think Before You Flush campaign and its ambition to protect Irelands coastal environments from sewage pollution is a topic of conversation that offers students practical solutions on reducing sanitary waste going down the drains.
The Think Before You Flush campaign works with local communities across Ireland and Donegal to raise awareness on the issues of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so. These includes blockages in our wastewater network and treatment plants, sewage overflows and sewage-related litter ending up on our beaches and in our natural environment. The campaign message is simple. Only flush the 3Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet – everything else goes in the bin.
While people appreciate the convenience of disposable wet wipes, facial pads, and dental floss many are unaware of the problems associated with these items when inappropriately flushed down the toilet. Research has found that just over one in five adults regularly admit to flushing items down the toilet that are known to cause blockages and can have detrimental effects on the wastewater network and the marine environment. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly in our pipes and sewage systems, these other items do not break down easily.
Olivia Jones from Clean Coasts said: “Through education and awareness, the Think Before You Flush campaign aims to prevent items like wipes, cotton bud sticks and sanitary items washing up on Ireland’s shores. One of the strengths of the campaign is working with various schools, such as the students from Owenbeg NS, Dromore West NS and Colaiste Iascaigh who are encouraging behavioural change in this area. Research indicates that attitudes and flushing behaviours are changing for the better but there is still work to do.”
