Can you flush tampons? It is interesting that this straightforward question does not always have a clear answer. Sometimes brands claim to offer ‘flushable tampons,’ and flushing them can often seem like the most convenient option. But, plumbers tend to agree that tampons can be damaging, costly, and even cause environmental pollution when not disposed of properly.
While flushing tampons can seem like a convenient option in the moment, flushing tampons down the toilet can have serious implications to your household and community.
Tampons Cannot Be Flushed
Tampons, pads, and other personal hygiene products should not be flushed in any scenario. While there are some brands that claim to offer flushable tampon products, these can still be damaging to sewer pipes.
The reason behind this is simple. Tampons do not break down in the toilet the same way that your everyday toilet paper does. Tampons are specifically designed to expand and absorb blood for up to 8 hours, meaning that their effectiveness stems from the fact that they do not break down quickly in the presence of liquid. Toilet paper, on the other hand, is meant to break down quickly in water.
Likewise,, the tampon applicator should not be flushed down the toilet. Tampon applicators are typically made from either plastic or cardboard. Plastic is non-biodegradable and doesn’t decompose, while cardboard takes quite a while to break down in water. As a rule, products that do not dissolve quickly in water have the potential to cause severe damage to your pipes.
What Happens If Tampons Are Flushed?
Flushing tampons and other hygiene products can be convenient, but the consequences can be extremely severe. Sewage blockages are not an easy problem to solve, for both a household and an entire community.
Because tampons and pads are naturally absorbent, they can expand and cause clogs in pipes and drains. Such clogs can be costly to fix, and if left alone can lead to flooding, as well as cause backed up sewage in sinks and toilets. In a worst-case scenario, sewage can end up in your home, causing expensive clean-up and repair.
Aside from household damages, flushing tampons and pads can be detrimental to the environment. Flushed tampons and/or plastic applicators can end up in local waterways and oceans, causing pollution and harm to marine life. Because tampon applicators are not biodegradable, they can break down into microplastics that remain in water, soil and air forever. They also can be mistaken as food by wildlife. Even tampons made with natural fibers contain materials like rayon and polyester that do not break down easily in nature. This isn’t a hypothetical issue. In fact, there are 9 discarded tampon applicators for every mile of beaches in the UK.
Where Should Used Tampons Go?
Used tampons, pads and other personal hygiene products should be put in the garbage can. Simply wrap the used tampon in toilet paper, and place it in the bathroom trash bin for easy disposal. In a place of work, OSHA requires used menstrual products to be disposed of in lined waste containers specifically.
If you are in a restroom that does not contain a garbage can, this can serve as an excellent opportunity to advocate that one be added, and regularly taken out in order to prevent costly plumbing and environmental damages. Your voice matters, and you can also advocate to get free period products in schools and other public buildings, and even in the workplace, after all, pads and tampons should be as readily available as toilet paper and paper towels. To learn more about how you can make an impact in your community, click here.
In addition, you may be interested to learn more about period poverty and supporting organizations like the Alliance For Period Supplies. We are working to end period poverty in the U.S., and help get period products to individuals who struggle to afford this basic necessity. No one should miss out on daily life because they can’t afford a pad or tampon. You can help make a difference by making a donation here.If you struggle to afford the period products you need, in click here to locate the period supply bank nearest to you.
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