The toilet is not a trash can, but people often treat it as one. At the wastewater treatment plant, we find evidence of all kinds of weird things that shouldn't have been flushed down the drain. We separate that garbage out and send it to the landfill, because there isn't any efficient way to collect recyclables after they've been contaminated with raw sewage. That's one of many reasons it's important to dispose of things properly in the beginning, so that recyclables don't turn into waste. Flushing trash down the drains can also damage and clog your pipes (and our pump stations)! Always be sure to throw away trash, recycle what you can, and only flush the three P's: pee, poop, and toilet paper. |