Can You Flush Tampons?

Disposing of tampons seems to be a mystery to a lot more people than you would think. Many people are confused about what to do with tampons, often due to the lack of clear information on proper disposal practices.

In this guide, we take a look at how you should properly dispose of tampons and what happens when you flush them. Learn the correct method of tampon disposal with us!

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Can You Flush Tampons Down the Toilet?
Can You Flush Tampon Applicators?
Do Tampons Block Toilets?
Why Do People Flush Tampons Down the Toilet?
How We Can Encourage Proper Tampon Disposal
The Proper Disposal of Tampons
The Proper Way to Dispose of Sanitary Pads
Prevent Tampon Waste From Polluting the Environment Today

Can You Flush Tampons Down the Toilet?

Most people’s go-to method of disposing of tampons is to flush them down the toilet. This is actually NOT recommended!

Flushing tampons can lead to pipe and sewage blockages that can lead to further problems such as environmental pollution. The problem with flushing tampons is they don’t dissolve like toilet paper does. They wouldn’t be very good if they did! Tampons actually contain plastic so flushing them down the toilet results in plastic waste being flushed too.

Can You Flush Tampon Applicators?

Flushing tampon applicators down the toilet is an absolute no go. Whether your tampon applicator is made from plastic or cardboard, flushing this type of rubbish down the loo will only result in blocked drains and sewage systems. You should instead wrap used tampon applicators in either the tampon packaging it came in or toilet paper and put it in the bin.

Do Tampons Block Toilets?

Flushing tampons down the toilet can result in a number of detrimental problems that not only affect your own pipes but also the greater sewer system and even as far as rivers and seas. Here are some locations where your flushed tampon could end up:

Blocking Pipes: Tampons naturally expand when they touch water so you can imagine the effect they have when they are flushed down the toilet. A flushed tampon will expand and potentially block your drains and pipes causing issues in your plumbing which can be a costly inconvenience.

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Fatbergs: You have probably heard of a fatberg before but, if you haven’t, they are large bodies of fat and waste that can block sewage systems. Flushing tampons down the toilet can add to this mass causing problems in your local sewage system.

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Environmental Pollution: If the tampon you flushed has not been caught up in your pipes or in a fatberg, it may end up in the environment. Large bodies of water such as rivers and seas have seen lots of sanitary waste. In fact, 4.8 pieces of menstrual waste has been found per 100m of beach cleaned showing just how far reaching flushed tampons can be.

Why Do People Flush Tampons Down the Toilet?

The consequences of flushing tampons can be dire with the environment taking the brunt of it. So why do people still flush them? According to a recent study, the reasons behind flushing tampons include:

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Period Shame
A Lack of Sanitary Bins
Sanitary Bins Being Full
Not Having a Bathroom Bin at Home
Hygiene Reasons
A Lack of Knowledge

How We Can Encourage Proper Tampon Disposal

Education

To ensure everyone understands how to properly dispose of tampons, we must first start by educating people. This can be as little as putting posters up in your washroom to raise awareness by empowering people to make more informed decisions when it comes to disposing of used tampons. Having clear signage can encourage washroom users to put used tampons in the bin and inform them of the proper process.

Washroom Essentials

You should also make sure all your toilet cubicles have the appropriate sanitary bins in them to provide your washroom users with easy access to a discrete disposal method. This will help reduce the period of shame some people may feel, giving them peace of mind when they are using public washrooms.

The Proper Disposal of Tampons

Educating your washroom users on the proper tampon disposal practices can help reduce the cost of blocked pipes in your washroom. Here is a step-by-step on how to properly dispose of tampons:

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Wrap the used tampon in toilet paper or the wrapper from your new tampon to contain it.
Place it in the designated sanitary bin if you’re in a public washroom or workplace bathroom.
If at home, place it in a small trash bin lined with a plastic bag - never flush tampons down the toilet as they can cause serious plumbing issues.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when finished.

The Proper Way to Dispose of Sanitary Pads

It’s not just tampons that people flush down the toilet. Some people may feel the need to flush sanitary pads too! But this is not the proper way to dispose of sanitary pads. Instead, you should:

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Fold the used pad inward, rolling it up with the soiled side facing inward. If it has wings, you should wrap them around to help keep it folded.
Wrap the folded pad in toilet paper or use the wrapper from your new pad. Many pad wrappers are now designed to be used for disposal!
Never flush pads - place them in a designated sanitary bin instead if you are in a public washroom or place it in your bathroom bin if you are at home.
Make sure the pad is wrapped and secured in the bin so that it is not visible. This will help maintain hygiene and is more courteous to others.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any menstrual products.

Prevent Tampon Waste From Polluting the Environment Today

As a washroom manager, your job is to provide a safe and hygienic environment for your users. This means you should provide high-quality sanitary bins to ensure your washroom users have an easily accessible place to place their tampons and sanitary pads after use.

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You should also consider placing clear signs and instructions on sanitary pads and tampon disposal to help encourage and educate users on the importance of proper menstrual product disposal. Shop our range of sanitary bins and feminine vending machines today to create a safe space and help reduce period shame among your washroom users.

FAQs

Should you flush tampons down the toilet?

The short answer is no. You should not flush tampons as this can cause blockages in the pipes and sewage system and may even end up in large bodies of water. Instead, you should wrap the used tampon with toilet paper or the wrapper of the new tampon and place it in a sanitary bin.

What happens if I accidentally flush a tampon?

If you accidentally flush a tampon, you don’t need to worry too much but you definitely shouldn’t make a habit of it. Tampons that are flushed can swell up and cause serious blockages in your pipes since they are designed to absorb liquid and expand, potentially leading to expensive plumbing repairs and backups. If this happens, monitor your plumbing for any signs of slow drainage or backups, and contact a plumber immediately if you notice any issues.

How are you supposed to dispose of tampons?

Disposing of tampons is easy. You simply wrap the used tampon in toilet paper or the wrapper of the new tampon and place it in a sanitary bin, making sure the tampon is securely wrapped to maintain hygiene and be courteous to others.

How to dispose of sanitary pads in the UK?

It is common to ask “how to dispose of sanitary pads” and the answer is simple. You should take the sanitary pad and carefully fold it, ensuring the soiled side is facing inwards. You can then wrap the sanitary pad in toilet paper or the wrapper of the new sanitary pad, making sure it is secure. Finally, place the folded and wrapped sanitary pad into a designated sanitary bin and remember to wash your hands afterwards!

Why Is Talking About Periods Taboo?

‍Period Poverty in UK: Why Your Business Should Care

‍Sanitary Bins: The Legal Requirements & Responsibilities

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