How to dispose of period products?
1.Flushing is bad for plumbing systems and the environment
- The only thing that can be flushed down any toilet, anywhere, is poo, pee and toilet paper- everything else in the trash.
- Period products never break apart like toilet paper and can clog toilets, and contribute to blockages in septic and sewer systems. Sanitary overflows, which discharges untreated wastewater- including tampons and applicators- from a sewer system into a body of water.
- Equipment used during wastewater treatment screens out period products which are sent to a landfill. Oftentimes though the machinery fails, tampons and plastic applicators end up with the rest of treated water in rivers, lakes and oceans.
- In the privacy of your own bathroom at home is your choice-as long as you are the only one who empties the trash! Keep in mind that period blood is harmless to others as long as you don't have any undiagnosed bloodborne diseases or other infections. Since odor-causing bacteria loves to grow on moist materials, discarded period products can quickly emit a bad smell. Make it trouble-free by placing all period product waste into a lined trash can or sealable plastic bag.
- In a public restroom or in someone else’s powder room, please be responsible and respectful of others, including custodians whose job it is to empty waste receptacles in public restrooms. Wrap up tampons and applicators, pads and liners as best you can with tp, tissues, wrappers or use personal disposal bags before placing in a trashcan. Stall waste bins are extremely contaminated so consider using tp to open and close the receptacle lid. Speak up if the waste receptacle is overflowing, dirty or smelly-you have a right to a clean and safe way to dispose of period products when away-from-home!
- Using 100% organic period products? Research has shown that the only way these products will biodegrade is in a home compost bin. Organic waste does not decompose in the dark, low-oxygen conditions in landfills but instead, its degradation produces harmful methane. And sending plastic applicators with your other recyclables, or organic tampons/pads with green waste, to a municipal composting/recycling facility is not allowed.