You might think it’s convenient to dump waste down the drain or toilet. However, some household items should be thrown into the trash instead. Items such as beauty products, medications, grease, fat and more can clog drains and affect your plumbing. They can also harm the environment by contaminating waterways. Keep reading to learn what items should not go down the drain and how to dispose of them safely.
Beauty products often contain many chemicals, preservatives and additives. For instance, sunscreen usually contains high concentrations of oxybenzone. This organic compound is known to be a hormone disruptor for humans and coral. In fact, it can damage the biodiversity of coral reefs in our oceans. Moreover, moisturizers and makeup may contain preservatives such as BHT and BHA. These can cause harmful mutations to various wildlife. It’s important to discard these products at a proper disposal site. You may also want to consider shopping for eco-friendly alternatives such as natural cosmetics and beauty products.
Not all food products can be washed down the drain. You may think putting coffee grounds down the garbage disposal might make your home smell good. However, they don’t dissolve in water and can clump together and cause blockages in your plumbing system. Similarly, eggshells don’t break down completely, even in the garbage disposal, and can form residue in your pipes. Instead, you can compost these common food items and use them in your garden.
Toiletries such as diapers and feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. This is because they can swell in size and clog pipes. In some cases, they might even make their way into the sewer system and cause larger blockages. Even if a product is labeled as “flushable,” you don’t want to take the risk. Be sure to dispose of it in the garbage.
To learn more about what items shouldn’t go down the drain, see the following resource.
Infographic created by Tunnel Vision Pipeline Services, a CIPP lining company
