Dead cats, pizzas, rubber ducks, handbags, and a spear are among the items people in Ireland are attempting to flush down the toilet, according to new research.
The findings were gathered from first-hand reports from expert technicians at Initial Hygiene, one of Ireland’s leading providers of washroom hygiene, vending, and floor mat solutions. The research demonstrates a potential knowledge gap about what can and can’t be safely flushed down the toilet. Other items discovered in toilet bowls include watches, nappies, sex toys, sandwiches, vapes, and even high-denomination bank notes.
Additional research of over 1,000 consumers commissioned by Initial Hygiene found that over a quarter (26% ) of respondents admitted to flushing paper towels, nail clippings (21% ), hair cuttings (16% ), and face wipes (9% ). Other items being flushed include baby/wet wipes (8% ), cigarettes (7% ), chewing gum (7% ), deceased pet fish (6% ), contact lenses (3% ), food wrappers (2% ) and nappies (1% ).
Survey insights also revealed more unsettling practices, with 3% of respondents admitting to flushing cooking oil, fat, or grease down the toilet. On a more positive note, over a third of those surveyed (35% ) claim they avoid flushing anything problematic down the toilet, indicating that awareness campaigns have some impact.
When it comes to period products, nearly a sixth (15% ) of female respondents admitted to flushing tampons down the toilet, and a further 2% to flushing sanitary pads. Worryingly, Gen Zers are likelier to believe sanitary pads are okay to flush (8% vs the national average of 3% ).
Initial Hygiene aims to foster greater awareness and prompt people to think twice before flushing potentially disruptive items down their toilets.
