Australian waste water systems are designed to safely transport waste water collected from toilets & washrooms to water treatment plants. From there the wastewater is treated to a very high level before being discharged into the environment (normally the sea).
Every day in Australia tonnes and tonnes of personal hygiene products are flushed down the toilet. Most people don't know that these products end up in our wastewater system creating the need for extra energy to be used to treat this waste and dispose of as landfill. Sometimes when there are sewerage overflows some of this waste can end up in our precious waterways causing significant environmental damage.
Sometimes personal hygiene waste (e.g. dirty nappies) are carelessly disposed of and somehow end up in our storm water drains. Storm water run off is not treated and ends up in our oceans. Personal hygiene waste that ends up in our oceans can have a damaging effect on the environment by affecting the health and well being of humans and our marine life.
Tips: Initial’s tips for the environment’s sake:
- Encourage good waste management in your workplace - the toilet is not a rubbish bin!
- Provide your staff and customers with appropriate bins & service for safe removal of personal hygiene products.
