Doctor’s orders: Hospital launches Think Before You Flush campaign

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

The Think Before You Flush campaign visited Sligo University Hospital this month to kick off a new collaboration which aims to stop items being flushed down the hospital toilets. The project will focus on educating visitors and staff at the hospital on the only three items that should ever be flushed down the toilet. Newly designed posters will be hung in toilet cubicles across the hospital, letting everyone know you should only flush pee, poo and paper. All other items should go in the bin.

Flushing items such as wipes down our toilets can lead to blockages in our wastewater network, treatment plants and sewage overflows. It can result in sewage related litter on our beaches and in our oceans, damaging water quality and the marine environment. Many toiletries, such as wet wipes, cotton pads and dental floss, are part of the ‘Dirty Dozen’, which are the top 12 items that are incorrectly flushed down the toilet in Ireland. Other items include paper towels, medicines, sanitary products, food items, contact lenses, condoms, cigarette butts and cotton bud sticks.

Speaking about the collaboration, Think Before You Flush campaign officer Patrick Cross said: “We are excited to be working with Sligo University Hospital on this new initiative. Responsible flushing behaviour is not only important in the home but also when are we out and about, using toilets that are not our own."

“The fantastic staff at Sligo University Hospital have generously offered to support us in educating their visitors and guests around this issue and we hope this project can bring meaningful change for the hospital by reducing the amount of blockages occurring.”

Martin Casserly, environment and waste co-ordinator at Sligo University Hospital, had this to say: ‘’Sligo University Hospital is thrilled to collaborate with Clean Coasts. We fully understand the impact blockages in the wastewater network can have downstream of our hospital operations."

“We are also acutely aware of the impact blockages can have on our own internal network and the costs and resources required to address such issues. Given the nature of our business, we have many toilets and sinks which feed into the wastewater network and given the number of staff, patients and visitors within the hospital on a daily basis we are in a prime position to target a wide and varied cross-section of the population.”

Uisce Éireann’s regional wastewater senior manager, Iarla Moran, is thrilled to be joining forces with Sligo University Hospital to safeguard the environment.

“We are delighted with the initiative by the facilities team at Sligo University Hospital to support the Think Before You Flush campaign. Every day, thousands of unsuitable items are flushed down toilets across Ireland instead of being put in the bin."

“Every single person in Ireland can play their part in ensuring that toilets are used for their intended purposes: pee, poo, paper. We appreciate the support of the team at Sligo University Hospital in helping to make the change in their facility and spreading the Think Before You Flush message.”

What can you do?

• Put a bin in your bathroom. You can also download some of our Think Before You Flush printable resources and stick them up as a reminder.
• Switch to reusable options – items like facial cloths and reusable cotton pads are great alternatives.
• If you are a teacher and would like to book a free workshop, or just want to join the campaign head to https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/ and follow @CleanCoasts on social media.