Most of us take toilets for granted because they are a contemporary convenience. They offer a practical and hygienic method of getting rid of human waste, and by using toilet paper, we can also continue to feel clean and fresh after using the restroom. The problem emerges when we flush the used toilet paper down the toilet, though. In many homes and public facilities, flushing toilet paper is a regular habit. However, did you know that there are countries where you can't flush toilet paper?
Contrary to what we often believe, flushing toilet paper can have detrimental effects on both the environment and our plumbing systems. Rather than just dissipating into the pipes and being swept away by water, we should instead be aware of this fact. Blockages in pipes and sewage systems brought on by flushing toilet paper can result in leaks and other plumbing problems. Also, it might harm the environment by causing landfills to fill up with solid garbage and contaminating rivers and oceans. It's crucial to dispose of toilet paper properly, and flushing toilet paper should be avoided by placing it in a trash can or utilizing a toilet paper disposal device. By doing this, we can safeguard both the environment and our plumbing systems. So, here's why flushing toilet paper is bad.
Understanding the Problem
Millions of people daily utilize toilet paper, a typical home commodity, all around the world. The production, use, and disposal of toilet paper, particularly in terms of water use and trash generation, can, nevertheless, have major adverse effects on the environment. Even if you have the best flushing toilets, here's why flushing toilet paper is bad:
- Water Usage: A lot of water is needed to produce toilet paper. A single roll of toilet paper requires around 3.7 gallons of water to produce, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water used for growing and harvesting the trees needed to create paper, as well as water used throughout the production process, are all included in this. Also, flushing toilet paper down the toilet might use water. More water is needed to flush away the toilet paper the more of it is used. Excessive toilet paper use can make the issue worse in places where there is a shortage of water or when water is a scarce resource.
- Effect on the Environment: Disposing of toilet paper can have a detrimental effect on the environment. While being biodegradable, toilet paper takes a while to decompose, especially when it's combined with other trash. Moreover, improperly disposed of toilet paper can end up in rivers and seas, hurting aquatic life and ecosystems and causing trash and pollution.
These are a few answers to why flushing toilet paper is bad. Now, let's dive into what happens when you flush toilet paper down the toilet anyways.
How Toilet Paper Affects Sewer Systems
To prevent clogs in sewer systems, toilet paper is specifically made to degrade quickly in water. Yet not all paper goods are made equally which is why flushing toilet paper is bad. Facial tissues, paper towels, and other paper items should not be flushed down the toilet because they can seriously damage sewer systems. Because they don't degrade as rapidly as toilet paper, these goods can quickly build up in pipes and cause clogs and blockages.
As toilet paper is flushed, it travels through the sewage treatment facility's pipes and gets broken down into harmless particles there. Non-flushable paper goods, on the other hand, can combine with toilet paper to form big, sticky masses that block pipes and lead to backups if they are introduced into the system. So, why flushing toilet paper is bad? Well, these items are not made to degrade in water, they can build up in sewage systems and spill into rivers and seas. This might harm aquatic life and pollute the ecosystem.
The Problem With Flushing Toilet Paper in Septic Systems
In many homes, flushing toilet paper is a widespread practice. Septic systems, which are intended to treat and get rid of human waste, can encounter serious issues as a result which is why flushing toilet paper is bad:
- Water Use: To break down human waste, septic systems rely on a precise balance of bacteria. Large amounts of toilet paper flushed can upset this equilibrium since the paper can clog the system's pipes and filters, causing backups and overflows. The septic system may be harmed as a result, necessitating expensive repairs and upkeep.
- Paper Goods: Many individuals flush paper products other than toilet paper, including paper towels, napkins, and facial wipes. These items can worsen septic system issues since they are not made to degrade in the same way that toilet paper is. Moreover, flushing non-biodegradable goods down the toilet can damage aquatic life and contribute to water pollution.
- Trash or Not: It's crucial to put all non-human waste products in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet to prevent issues with septic systems. This includes paper products other than toilet paper, as well as feminine hygiene items, diapers, and wipes.
People can also be accountable for their toilet paper usage by cutting back on how much of it they flush down the toilet after learning about why flushing toilet paper is bad. Using less toilet paper or switching to environmentally friendly products like recycled or unbleached toilet paper are two examples of how to do this.
The Environmental Impact of Flushing Toilet Paper
Even though it might seem odd, flushing toilet paper can have a huge negative influence on the environment which is why flushing toilet paper is bad:
- Each roll of toilet paper represents a large usage of natural resources because it's made from trees. Flushing toilet paper can cause deforestation and other environmental problems.
- Flushing toilet paper might pollute the water. Toilet paper production uses a lot of water, and when it's flushed, it can harm aquatic life when it enters our water systems.
- Toilet paper can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of methane, a strong greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change when it's improperly disposed of and builds up in landfills.
We can lessen the impact of toilet paper on the environment by modifying a few small aspects of our behavior which we'll dive into a little later.
What Happens When Toilet Paper Is Flushed
It doesn't matter what side you're on regarding the Kohler vs Toto vs American Standard toilet debate, here's what happens and why flushing toilet paper is bad:
- Effect on Sewer System: Wastewater from our homes and places of business is gathered and transported by sewer lines to treatment facilities where it's cleaned and purified before being released into the environment. The wastewater and any garbage that is flushed down the toilet are sent through the pipes to the sewage treatment facility.
- Clogged Pipes: Some paper products are not made to degrade quickly in water like toilet paper is, thus flushing them can seriously damage sewer systems. Paper products such as facial tissues, paper towels, and other paper goods do not degrade as quickly as toilet paper and can quickly build up in pipes, causing clogs and jams. Toilet paper and other non-flushable paper products combine to produce voluminous, sticky masses that jam pipes and result in backups.
- Repairing Blocked Pipes and Sewage Backups Can Be Pricey: Blocked pipes and sewage backups can be expensive to repair and cause serious harm to residences and commercial buildings. Sewage backups can cost money to fix and put people's health at risk by exposing them to diseases and hazardous microorganisms. Moreover, sewage backup damage repair can be time-consuming and disruptive to daily living.
Alternatives to Flushing Toilet Paper
While you may be wondering which toilets have the best flush after learning about why flushing toilet paper is bad, you can simply choose to do the following instead:
- Alternatives to Flushing Toilet Paper: You can also throw away used toilet paper in the garbage. Although though it might appear uncomfortable, doing so can lessen the amount of paper in the wastewater stream and prevent clogs in pipes and filters. The only paper that should be flushed is toilet paper since other paper products can clog pipes and harm wastewater treatment systems.
- Using Personal Hygiene Items or Bidets: Using bidets or personal hygiene items like wipes or washcloths is an additional option for flushing toilet paper. Toilet paper is not necessary while using bidets, which use water to clean the genital and anal region. Cleaning the area using personal hygiene items is another option, and many of them are biodegradable, which lessens their influence on the environment. Other advantages of using bidets or other personal hygiene items include lowering irritation and pain and fostering greater cleanliness. Certain types use less water than flushing toilet paper and are water-efficient.
- Properly Dispose of Toilet Paper: It's crucial to dispose of toilet paper properly if you do decide to use it. Just modest amounts of toilet paper should be flushed; the extra paper should be discarded in the garbage. Using biodegradable toilet paper is also significant because it decomposes more quickly in the environment.
Bottom Line: Why Flushing Toilet Paper Is Bad?
The fact that toilet paper is made to dissolve in water but doesn't do so rapidly enough in the sewer system, clogging pipes and sewer systems, is why flushing toilet paper is bad. This may necessitate high maintenance and repair costs for both individuals and communities. Also, flushing toilet paper can cause environmental issues because it can go into waterways and destroy wildlife and ecosystems.
To prevent these issues, appropriate toilet paper disposal is crucial. Putting used toilet paper in the trash instead of flushing it down the toilet is one approach to this. By doing so, clogs and other problems with the sewer system may be avoided. Also, lowering the amount of toilet paper used can help prevent blockages and lessen the impact on the environment.
A different choice is to switch to alternative cleaning techniques like wet wipes or bidets. These alternatives can be a more efficient and sustainable solution for people wishing to lessen their dependency on conventional toilet paper, even though they may have their own environmental and maintenance issues.
To keep the sewer system operating properly and to safeguard the environment, toilet paper disposal must be done properly. We may have a good impact on the environment and our communities by thinking about alternate cleaning techniques and minimizing our use of toilet paper and learning all about why flushing toilet paper is bad.
Why Flushing Toilet Paper Is Bad FAQs
Why is it bad to flush toilet paper?
Toilet paper flushing can be harmful to the environment and plumbing systems. It may result in the sewage system and pipe clogs, which may lead to leaks and other plumbing issues. Toilet paper that has been improperly disposed of may also find its way into rivers and oceans, harming aquatic life and ecosystems and contributing to pollution. Also, toilet paper requires a lot of water to create, and flushing it down the toilet can make water shortages worse in places with scarce water supplies.
What occurs when toilet paper is flushed down the toilet?
As toilet paper is flushed, it passes through the pipes of the sewage treatment plant and is disintegrated into harmless particles there. But, if non-flushable paper products, such as facial tissues, and paper towels, are introduced into the system, they can combine with toilet paper to form substantial, sticky masses that clog pipes and lead to backups. Non-biodegradable products can also harm aquatic life and contribute to water pollution when they are flushed down the toilet.
What's wrong with flushing toilet paper down the toilet with septic tanks?
To break down human waste, septic systems depend on a perfect mix of bacteria. Excessive amounts of toilet paper flushed have the potential to disturb this equilibrium since they can clog filters and pipes in the system, leading to backups and overflows. Paper towels and facial wipes are examples of non-biodegradable paper products that should not be flushed down the toilet as they might aggravate septic system problems and pollute water.
What is the environmental impact of toilet paper?
Because toilet paper is made from trees, each roll represents a significant use of natural resources. Deforestation and other environmental issues can be brought on by flushing toilet paper. Water is also used extensively in the manufacture of toilet paper, which when flushed into our water systems can harm aquatic life. In addition to contaminating the water and damaging aquatic life, improperly used toilet paper can also end up in rivers and seas.
