Bag it and bin it
Having a responsible attitude to waste management in the home is very important. Flushing personal and disposable products down the toilet can cause huge problems - synthetic materials that are disposed of down the toilet cause over two-thirds of all blockages of the sewerage system and add to the problems of sewage flowing out into rivers and even in to homes!
As a founder member of the national 'Bag It and Bin It' group we aim to prevent sewage related debris from littering British riverbanks and coastlines, blocking pipes and flooding homes. If you have any doubts about how to dispose of an item bag and bin it or take it to your local waste disposal centre.
Many people do not realise the harmful effects of disposing of fats, oils and greases (FOG) via the drains. FOG quickly solidifies when it hits the cool walls of the sewer and it sticks to the side. Other debris is then trapped and causes a blockage. With no way through, the waste water backs up the system, coming out of the drains, sewers, and potentially your home!
Collect kitchen fats, oils and greases in a container and dispose of them in the bin - for your free container order a fat trap online.
If you have any doubts about how to dispose of an item then 'Bag It and Bin It', or dispose of it at your local recycling and waste disposal centre. Take a look below at our recommendations on how to deal with different types of rubbish:
Cotton buds, Ladies tights, Dental floss |
| Dispose of these in the bin along with other household rubbish. |
Tampons and applicators |
| Wrap well and dispose of in the bin. |
Condoms |
| Wrap well and dispose of in the bin. |
Incontinence pads |
| Contact your Local Council or District Nurse Service and request inclusion in what is commonly known as the 'yellow bag' scheme. This scheme delivers and collects yellow bags specifically designed for the safe disposal of incontinence pads. |
Sanitary towels |
| Special bags for sanitary protection items are available from pharmacies. |
Bandages & plasters |
| Wrap well and dispose of in the bin. |
Baby and other wipes |
| Wrap well and dispose of in the bin. |
Disposable nappies |
| Wrap well and dispose of in the bin. Before doing so you could flush any human waste down the toilet - but not the nappy itself. |
Razors and blades |
| Put the used blade inside a rigid container, which you are also throwing into the dustbin. Razor blades should never be flushed down the toilet. |
Medicines |
| Any unwanted or unused medicines should be returned to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines with other household waste. Always remember to keep all medicines out of the reach of children. |
Syringes and needles |
| Your local hospital or health authority will be able to advise you on the availability of local 'needle banks'. |
