There is no denying that the invention of tampons was a beneficial one for anyone who has a period. Tampons have made menstrual care more accessible and even expanded the limits of what a person can and can’t do while menstruating. But the harsh reality of tampons is that they’re mostly made of plastic and don’t exactly do the environment any favors. In fact, it’s estimated that 7 billion tampons are discarded each year—the majority of which end up in landfills. With plastic tampon applicators taking more than 20+ years to break down, many have come to the conclusion that it’s just better to flush them. That assumption would be totally wrong. “Tampons are made of cotton, rayon, and other materials that are not biodegradable. They also contain plastic, which is not biodegradable,” Walter E. Bennett, a professional handyman at Green Leaf Air with over eight years in the plumbing industry, tells Parade. “This means that they will not break down in the water and [instead], accumulate in landfills and sewer systems.” Sure, flushing a tampon may seem like the more eco-friendly option since you’re rerouting the tampon from rotting in a landfill. But it’s not. Tampons wreak havoc on sewer systems, cause clogs, and if they even make it to our waterways, pollute marine environments as well. “The tampon kills an estimated 1 million fish every year. About 100,000 to a million birds and other animals die in the same spot where a tampon ends after it is flushed down the toilet,” Bennett adds. “Tampons can also be flushed into the ocean, killing about 20 million to 100 million fish per year. People have no idea how many tampons go down the toilet, so it’s impossible to know their effects on the environment.” Keep reading for what experts have to say about flushing tampons—including how to properly dispose of a tampon.
Can you flush tampons down the toilet?
The short answer? No; don’t flush a tampon down the toilet and if you’ve been known to do it frequently, it’s best to stop this habit ASAP. “Tampons cannot be flushed down the toilet because they can clog the pipes and create a blockage,” Bennett explains. “The cause of the blockage may be a cotton string or even a tampon that has been left behind in the toilet.” Experts agree that the short-term ramifications of flushing a tampon directly have to do with you—and your plumbing. Having a plumber snake a drain that’s been clogged by a tampon definitely isn’t an ideal way to spend your day (and it’ll probably cost a pretty penny, too). But the long-term effects pose a significant threat to the planet as well. “Flushing tampons down the toilet is not only bad for the environment but can also create costly plumbing problems,” Bennett adds. “Over time, the blockage can result in excessive plumbing repair costs for those living in rented or single-family houses. And last but not least, It is also not recommended to flush tampons down the toilet because it can create a health hazard if you are prone to getting infections from bacteria.”
How how long does it take for tampons to clog a toilet?
Chances are that if you flush a tampon, you may notice an upset in your plumbing almost immediately. As Jake Romano of Oakville Plumbing explains, a clog can happen at a moment’s notice. “It doesn’t take any specific amount of time,” Romano says. “At any moment, something can get caught in your drain. The insides of your drain are a lot nastier than you might think. There’s often gunk that’s been accumulating for a while. If the tampon sticks and outlasts the water of the flush, chances are much higher that it will stick for a while to come.” And once something is stuck in your drain, it’s only a matter of time before you start seeing the repercussions of that blockage. Once the tampon is stuck, all the other matter going down the drain has something to catch on to. Before you know it, you’re dealing with a serious blockage."
When to call a plumber
If your pipes are experiencing a significant blockage, then it’s only a matter of time before you’ll need to call for professional help emptying out the drain. However, Romano says there are a few tricks and hacks you can try first. “Before calling a plumber, I would try the following: Plunging, hot water, dish soap, and time. Plunging is the most effective method for clearing a toilet blockage on your own. If you have a toilet auger and you know how to use it, try that too!” (But Romano recommends making sure you actually know how to use it—or else you risk scratching up your porcelain throne.) “Hot water and dish soap is a pretty great solution for tackling organic matter in my experience,” Romano adds. “And allowing water to break down the blockage is also a surprisingly effective declogging strategy.” But if you’ve got a massive blockage on your hands, it’s likely going to require a professional. “If none of these tricks work, I’d call a plumber. Most of these methods work if the blockage is in the toilet. If the blockage is beyond the toilet and in the drains, you’re likely going to need professionals. Sometimes they need to do a power wash in the drain system, sometimes the sloping isn’t adequate, sometimes there are vent issues, and sometimes it’s something else.” Worst case scenario? Your toilet might have to be replaced. “Sometimes the blockage is too stuck to remove with traditional methods and unfortunately, the toilet [may have to be] replaced due to hard solids being very stuck.”
How a plumber fixes tampon-clogged toilets
Say you flushed a tampon down the loo and now it’s clogged. You’ve done everything you can to rectify the situation on your own, including the hot water and dish soap mixture, plunging, and just letting some time pass. You’ve made the choice to call a plumber. Now what? How will a plumber fix the clog? “The first thing most plumbers will use is a toilet auger,” Romano says. “You can purchase toilet augers for reasonably cheap at most hardware stores, however, the augers most plumbers use are longer and harder. They can reach beyond the bends of the toilet and into the drain.” Romano continues, “If this doesn’t work, the next move is to remove the toilet. If the blockage is in the toilet, sometimes it’s easier to push from the bottom. If the blockage is not in the toilet, we’ll be able to investigate once the toilet is removed. Some plumbers might opt to get a camera in the drain right away; others may use a large electric auger.” Once a plumber has exhausted all these aforementioned resources to no avail, they may bring in a hydro jet. “Hydro jets are essentially a pressure washer for your drains. A long hose goes into your drains and blasts away all the gunk. These machines can be extremely powerful—powerful enough to tear through flesh and tree roots. This will often solve drain issues.” Of course, there’s also the possibility that your plumbing is simply not as good as it could be. If that’s the case, Romano says your plumber may recommend re-piping. As you can imagine, this can get costly. “They’ll remove the sections of your plumbing system that aren’t to code and replace them with proper plumbing. Common issues include bad slopes, old and deteriorating pipes, bad venting, and more,” Romano adds.
How to properly dispose of tampons
All of this is to say that no, you shouldn’t flush tampons down the toilet. But then, what’s the best, most environmentally responsible way to dispose of tampons? Since most commercial tampons are made of rayon, cotton, and plastic, these kinds of tampons will have to go in the garbage. To properly dispose of the tampon, wrap it in toilet paper or its own wrapper, then place it in the garbage. If you are in a public restroom, it’s best to discard it in the sanitary napkin bin. If you are using an all-natural, organic tampon that is fully made of cotton, you may have the option to compost it. (But be sure to check out the tampon brand’s unique instructions first to make sure). Tampons made of 100 percent cotton can be added to your home compost and will take between five to six months to biodegrade completely. And if you’re going the all-natural, composting route, there’s even greater news, too. The menstrual blood on your tampon is actually great for the compost! According to the all-natural menstrual product company Natracare, period blood contains calcium, iron, phosphate, and sodium, which makes for an ideal fertilizer for plants. Next up, not a tampon fan? Check out the best period panties.
