The real cost of flushing tampons
Key Takeaways:
- Tampons don’t break down like toilet paper, which leads to clogs, plumbing damage and expensive repairs for facilities.
- Flushed tampons can end up in rivers and oceans, contributing to water pollution and harming marine life.
- Most tampons are not biodegradable and contain rayon or plastic that can remain in the environment for decades.
- Tampons are often flushed because of overflowing or missing disposal bins in restrooms.
- Having properly lined, easy-to-maintain period product disposal bins can help make it easier and cleaner to dispose of tampons and pads.
When it comes to disposing of period care products at work or really anywhere, one question often comes up: whether or not tampons can be flushed down the toilet.
In the moment, it might seem easier to flush a tampon rather than deal with disposal in one of those overflowing metal bins (that is if said bathroom even has a proper disposal bin available). However, this short-term convenience can lead to long-term problems for your bathroom plumbing and the environment.
Let’s dive into why flushing tampons is NOT the way to go and explore some better disposal methods.
Can you flush tampons down the toilet?
The short answer is no, definitely not. Tampons, pads or wrappers should never be flushed down the toilet for a number of reasons, mainly because doing so can cause significant plumbing issues for your facility and have a negative impact on the environment.
The bathroom plumbing problem
Tampons are designed to absorb liquid and expand. Unlike toilet paper, which breaks down quickly in water, tampons remain intact, posing a serious risk to plumbing systems.
Flushing tampons can cause blockages in your pipes and lead to costly repairs. In some cases, these blockages can occur further down the line in municipal sewage systems, causing even bigger problems.
Improper tampon disposal can pollute waters and harm marine life
Even if a tampon makes it through your plumbing without causing a blockage, it still poses a threat to the environment. Tampons that reach sewage treatment plants may not be fully filtered out and can end up in rivers, oceans and other bodies of water.
These items contribute to water pollution and pose a danger to marine life, which can ingest the tampon fibers or become entangled in them. In fact, plastic applicator tampons are one of the most commonly found items in the ocean and on beaches.
Most tampons contain synthetic materials like rayon or plastic, which do not biodegrade easily. This means that tampons flushed into the ocean can remain there for decades, adding to the growing problem of plastic pollution in our waters.
Challenges to proper tampon disposal
Inadequate disposal infrastructure in restrooms often means no designated bins for sanitary products. As a result, used tampons and pads end up in the regular trash, exposed to the open air.
And if a restroom has a disposal bin but it’s overflowing, it will feel unsanitary and be less likely to get used.
Help solve the disposal dilemma with a complete period care solution
In the workplace, OSHA expects used menstrual products, including tampons, to be discarded into waste containers that are lined in such a way as to prevent menstruators and janitorial staff from coming into contact with the contents.
Posting a “Do Not Flush” sign will help educate your team, but your bathroom and plumbing deserve more.
That is why the restroom supply experts at Cintas and Aunt Flow are teaming up to help solve the disposal dilemma, one stall at a time.
Our Signature Series® period product disposal solution includes an easy-to-unload disposal bin with custom liners that help to prevent hygiene issues, reduce odors and reduce maintenance. Our unit makes it simple to empty disposal bins, helping to make it easier and cleaner to dispose of tampons and pads.
Together, Cintas and Aunt Flow combine trusted, high-quality period care with expert facility solutions to create restrooms that are clean and fully stocked for an improved bathroom experience.
Discover how we can help improve your period product disposal and support cleaner, safer restrooms at your facility.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to flush tampons down the toilet?
No, you should not flush tampons down the toilet. Tampons don’t break down like toilet paper, which leads to plumbing damage, expensive repairs for facilities and environmental harm.
What happens when you flush a tampon down the toilet?
Tampons don’t break down like toilet paper, and they absorb liquid and expand, which can cause blockages in pipes and lead to costly plumbing repairs. Also, flushed tampons can end up in rivers, oceans and other bodies of water, causing water pollution and harm to marine life.
Where should I throw away a used tampon?
The proper way to dispose of a used tampon is in a disposal bin inside a restroom stall that is properly lined and regularly maintained to avoid overflowing. This also prevents tampons from being flushed down the toilet, which causes plumbing damage, or from being thrown in the trash can, which can leave them open to exposed air.