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Can tampons be flushed down a septic system?

We could make this article super short and say no. No, no, no. Do not flush tampons. Do not flush any kind of sanitary product for that matter. Just do not do it.

But we thought we should do a little more than that. Below are some reasons why you shouldn't flush tampons, or any other sanitary items for that matter, down the drain/sink/plumbing/ septic system ever. If you need some more information about septic systems, give Express Wastewater a call at 1300 722 517 and we can help you out

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A few facts before we start

So, here are a few facts to consider before we address the issue of flushing tampons down a septic system:

  • Around 300 million tampons are sold in Australia every year.
  • The average woman uses 10,000-12,000 disposable menstrual products over their entire life.
  • The average woman throws away around 22 disposable sanitary items every menstrual cycle - this equates to around 1 wheelie bin full of sanitary products a year.

So, when you look at these statistics (and think that there are over 12.7 million women currently living in Australia), that's a lot of tampons that may be heading down our drains.

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Why can't tampons be flushed down a septic system?

Tampons, as well as many other sanitary items, are made of a combination of cotton, synthetic rayon and/or plastic (among other things). These materials are not designed to be flushed down a septic system and do not properly dissolve. Additionally, sanitary items are designed to absorb/retain liquid, meaning the plumbing is not an ideal space for them to end up.

What happens if tampons are flushed down a septic system?

If tampons are flushed down a septic system, they can cause blockages and clog pipes, as well as quickly fill up your system and decrease its efficiency. This, therefore, results in you having to pump your septic system more regularly and it works on decreased effectiveness.

What else can't be flushed down a septic system?

There is a range of other items that should not be flushed down a septic system including:

  • Wet wipes
  • Dental floss
  • Kitty litter
  • Nappies
  • Paper towels

And that is just the beginning!

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Your local septic system experts

If you would like to know more about septic systems and whether they would be suitable for your home, give Express Wastewater a call at 1300 722 517 and we can discuss your requirements.

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Resources:

ABC (Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period underwear: What's best for the environment?): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-27/which-period-product-is-best-for-the-environment/9090658

Greenpeace (Can't flush this): https://www.greenpeace.org.au/blog/cant-flush-this/

Western Australian Government (Understanding septic tanks): https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/Understanding-Septic-Tank-Systems

Urban Utilities (Don't flush that): https://urbanutilities.com.au/community/whats-a-no3