Last Wednesday the 26th of February, the transition year students of Errigal College, Letterkenny, took part in Green Schools Marine Ambassador Workshop and a beach clean. The workshop was hosted at the college and followed by a quick bus journey to Rathmullan Beach to complete the beach clean. The role of the Ambassador School is to inspire, educate and be a leading example to other schools working on the Global Citizenship Marine Environment theme of Green-Schools. Each year, the programme looks for a motivated Secondary School Green-Schools Committee with enthusiasm and commitment to promote and drive environmental action. The Think Before You Flush campaign slotted perfectly into this theme. The students engage in discussions about marine litter, wastewater treatment, and ways to safeguard our wastewater network and coastal habitats.
The Think Before You Flush campaign works with local communities across Ireland and Donegal to raise awareness on the issues of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so. These includes blockages in our wastewater network and treatment plants, sewage overflows and sewage-related litter ending up on our beaches and in our natural environment. The campaign message is simple. Only flush the 3Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet – everything else goes in the bin.
While people appreciate the convenience of disposable wet wipes, facial pads, and dental floss many are unaware of the problems associated with these items when inappropriately flushed down the toilet. Research has found that just over one in five adults regularly admit to flushing items down the toilet that are known to cause blockages and can have detrimental effects on the wastewater network and the marine environment. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly in our pipes and sewage systems, these other items do not break down easily.
Sinead Keogh from Clean Coasts said: “Through education and awareness, the Think Before You Flush campaign aims to prevent items like wipes, cotton bud sticks and sanitary items washing up on Ireland’s shores. One of the strengths of the campaign is working with various schools, such as the transition year students from Errigal College who are encouraging behavioural change in this area. Research indicates that attitudes and flushing behaviours are changing for the better but there is still work to do.”
Uisce Éireann’s Regional Wastewater Senior Manager, Iarla Moran, added: “We hope that the students from Errigal College, Letterkenny enjoyed hearing about the Think Before You Flush campaign. We all have a role in safeguarding our environment. Almost a million people nationally are still using the toilet as a bin. We are asking people to always ‘Think Before You Flush’ and take a simple action such as putting a bin in the bathroom. Small changes in flushing habits will go a long way in protecting our precious environment.”
What Can We Do?
Join the campaign on social media @CleanCoasts and at www.cleancoasts.org. Learn more about the Think Before You Flush campaign at https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/
Students of Errigal College taking part in the Green Schools Marine Ambassador Programme.jpg
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