• Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann raise awareness in Cork about the terror of wet wipes this Halloween and how you can protect your community and environment.

The Think Before You Flush Campaign, operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Èireann, is encouraging the public in Cork to ‘Think Before You Flush’ this Halloween season and stop flushing damaging items such as wipes and sanitary products down the toilet.

In Ireland, an impressive three out of four individuals have already embraced this responsible behaviour, actively protecting our pipes from the recurring threat posed by the Wet Wipe Monster. Each Halloween, this character serves as a timely reminder that when items like wet wipes and sanitary products are flushed, they can cause blockages in pipes resulting in sewage overflows which pollute our rivers and beaches as well as our built environment.

With a shared goal of ensuring ALL individuals flush only the 3 P’s (pee, poo and paper) and put all other waste in the bin, local students from St Colman’s Community College in Midelton have joined forces to urge everyone to ‘Think Before You Flush’. Together, they aim to educate the public to always ‘Think Before You Flush’ and banish the Wet Wipe Monster forever.

The Think Before You Flush campaign addresses the issue of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so. Flushing wipes down the toilet can lead to blockages in our wastewater network and treatment plants, sewage overflows, and sewage related litter ending up on our beaches and in our oceans, damaging 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 hair; paper towels; medicine; tampons; food items; contact lenses; condoms; cigarette butts; and cotton bud sticks.

There is no denying these items are incredibly useful. Many people enjoy the convenience of disposable wipes and cotton pads but are unaware of the environmental problems associated with these items when flushed down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate and break up quickly in our pipes and sewage systems, items like wipes do not disintegrate even if labelled ‘flushable.’

Talking about the importance of the campaign in enabling communities to thrive Tom Cuddy, Uisce Éireann said:

“Everyday people flush thousands of sanitary items such as wet wipes and cotton buds down the toilet instead of simply putting them in the bin. This causes blockages in our network, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants and can lead to sewage overflows. We clear approximately 10,000 blockages from our wastewater network every year.

In partnership with Clean Coasts, we are delighted to collaborate with local communities this Halloween to preserve and protect our environment. Together we will continue to shine a light on the link between what you flush down the toilet and what can end up in your natural and built environment, whether it is your back garden, city footpath, local river or beach.”

Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts Manager with the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce speaking about the campaign said:

“This Halloween, we urge the public to embrace environmentally responsible behaviour and always Think Before You Flush. Let’s ensure those spooky wipes find their way into the bin, stopping the formation of terrifying fatbergs that haunt our pipes and wastewater systems. The Think Before You Flush campaign is dedicated to educating the public and raising awareness about the alarming consequences of sewage-related litter on our environment. We empower people to make simple changes to their bathroom routines, preventing items like cotton bud sticks and wet wipes from haunting Ireland’s beautiful beaches.”

How can we drive the Wet Wipe Monster away?

1. 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.
2. If you can, switch to reusable options – items like facial cloths and reusable cotton pads are great alternatives.
3. Spread the word and aways “Think Before You Flush”.

Join the campaign at https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/ and follow @CleanCoasts @Uisce Éireann Irish Water on social media.