What Not To Put Down Your Drain
Posted here by:
AfSD™(ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™)
What Not To Put Down Your Drain
posted by Melissa Breyer Mar 20, 2011
Our
trash that goes in the can or recycling is waste we have no choice but
to face. Whether it’s hauling the trash cans to the sidewalk, bringing
recycling to a center–it’s a mass of garbage that we have to contend
with. Liquid waste, on the other hand, simply gets rinsed down the drain
and it’s “bye-bye never have to think about you again.” It’s a much
more expedient process–one that’s hidden from the eyes of any sanitation
departments–and one that can wreak waves of environmental chaos, not to
mention what it can do to your pipes. We often don’t realize the harm
we are doing by what we rinse down our kitchen sinks, bath and shower
drains, and even what we flush down our toilets.
trash that goes in the can or recycling is waste we have no choice but
to face. Whether it’s hauling the trash cans to the sidewalk, bringing
recycling to a center–it’s a mass of garbage that we have to contend
with. Liquid waste, on the other hand, simply gets rinsed down the drain
and it’s “bye-bye never have to think about you again.” It’s a much
more expedient process–one that’s hidden from the eyes of any sanitation
departments–and one that can wreak waves of environmental chaos, not to
mention what it can do to your pipes. We often don’t realize the harm
we are doing by what we rinse down our kitchen sinks, bath and shower
drains, and even what we flush down our toilets.
In a study published in 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
collected and analyzed water samples from 139 streams in 30 states. The
goal of the study was to measure concentrations of 95 wastewater-related
organic chemicals in water. And guess what? One or more of these
chemicals were found in 80 percent of the streams sampled. Half of the
streams contained seven or more of these chemicals, and about one-third
of the streams contained 10 or more of these chemicals. Pharmaceutical
and personal-care products are to blame for many of the chemicals found
in the USGS study. Research has shown that there can be effects on
aquatic organisms like fish and frogs. Lesson here: don’t flush unwanted
prescriptions and try to purchase all-natural personal care products.
collected and analyzed water samples from 139 streams in 30 states. The
goal of the study was to measure concentrations of 95 wastewater-related
organic chemicals in water. And guess what? One or more of these
chemicals were found in 80 percent of the streams sampled. Half of the
streams contained seven or more of these chemicals, and about one-third
of the streams contained 10 or more of these chemicals. Pharmaceutical
and personal-care products are to blame for many of the chemicals found
in the USGS study. Research has shown that there can be effects on
aquatic organisms like fish and frogs. Lesson here: don’t flush unwanted
prescriptions and try to purchase all-natural personal care products.
But another area of concern is kitchen waste–namely fats, oils and
greases which can not only clog pipes, but are terrible for sewage
systems. According to the Watership Environment Foundation (WEF),
sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home
interiors, and threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause of
overflows is sewer pipes blocked by grease–this results in raw sewage
overflowing in your home or your neighbor’s home; An expensive and
unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for by you, the homeowner;
Raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards, and streets; Potential contact
with disease-causing organisms; and an increase in operation and
maintenance costs for local sewer departments, which causes higher sewer
bills for customers.
greases which can not only clog pipes, but are terrible for sewage
systems. According to the Watership Environment Foundation (WEF),
sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home
interiors, and threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause of
overflows is sewer pipes blocked by grease–this results in raw sewage
overflowing in your home or your neighbor’s home; An expensive and
unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for by you, the homeowner;
Raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards, and streets; Potential contact
with disease-causing organisms; and an increase in operation and
maintenance costs for local sewer departments, which causes higher sewer
bills for customers.
Where does the grease that causes sewer overflows come from? Much of it from the kitchen sink.
Meat fats
Lard
Cooking oil
Shortening
Butter and margarine
Food scraps
Baking goods
Sauces
Dairy products
Grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes (both on your property
and in the streets). Over time, the grease can build up and block the
entire pipe. Note that home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of
the plumbing system. These units only shred solid material into smaller
pieces and do not prevent grease from going down the drain. Commercial
additives, including detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may pass
grease down the line and cause problems in other areas.
and in the streets). Over time, the grease can build up and block the
entire pipe. Note that home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of
the plumbing system. These units only shred solid material into smaller
pieces and do not prevent grease from going down the drain. Commercial
additives, including detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may pass
grease down the line and cause problems in other areas.
WEF suggests these tips to alleviate pipe blockage and sewer overflows:
• Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets.
• Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans,
utensils, and grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for
disposal (or recycling where available).
• Do not put grease down garbage disposals. Put baskets/strainers in
sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the drain
baskets/strainers into the trash for disposal.
• Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of grease in the sewer system and how to keep it out.
• Call your local sewer system authority if you have any questions.
Other things to never wash down your drain:
Fats, oils or grease from cars or lawnmowers
Coffee grinds
Egg shells
Produce stickers
Chunks of garbage
Feminine hygiene products
Paper towels
Flushable cat litter
Rags
Condoms
Motor oil, transmission fluids, anti-freeze or other toxic chemicals
Solvents, paints, turpentine, nail polish, polish remover
Flammable or explosive substances
Corrosive substances that are either acidic or caustic
Prescription and over-the-counter medications
For more information on how to dispose of old medication and personal care products, read Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out.
Source
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-not-to-put-down-your-drain.html?page=3
Please join me at Friendburst
Paragraphing in 1st part please.
Yes – pharma flushed down our drains whole, or after passing through our personal ‘plumbing’, seems to be just one more anti-environmental service provided by humanity.
Thank you for the important educational reminders, advocateforsavingdogs.
Hyper Intellect can be a surprisingly cool dude sometimes, no denying it.