Can you flush tampons?
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What's the lowdown?
Tampons, or any other period product, should not be flushed down the toilet
They are meant to be thrown in rubbish bins or sanitary bins
Flushing tampons can have immense economic and environmental consequences
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It can be tempting, while sitting on the toilet, to simply remove and throw your tampon straight into the bowl. What could go wrong right?
2.5 million used tampons are estimated to be flushed down the UK toilets every day1! 2.5 MILLION!!!
Let’s put things into perspective. That is 1,737 tampons a minute. The scale at which these tampons are disposed of incorrectly is not just a major plumbing issue but a fundamental environmental challenge.
Can you flush tampons down the toilet?
Let’s cut straight to the chase, the answer is simple: no. Tampons are not meant to be flushed, just thrown into the bin.
Here is what happens if you flush a tampon.
Tampons are highly absorbable, holding up to 20 ml of fluid2. As they absorb liquid, they expand. Unlike toilet paper, tampons cannot break down as they travel through the sewage pipes. They have the potential to clog up your pipes leading to unnecessary plumbing works. Not great for your pipes or your bank account.
Flushed tampons do not necessarily get filtered out of the sewage, ending up in rivers, seas and other bodies of water. This type of pollution has implications for wildlife.
Most tampon brands do incorporate some plastic element in their absorbent part (the part we insert into ourselves)3. A first-of-its-kind study by the University College of Berkeley found that multiple tampon brands contained metals like zinc and lead4. However, it’s important to note that these were at very low levels and there’s no research yet into whether these low levels can affect your health. Another worrying side effect of flushing tampons is the introduction of microplastics and metals into the environment, as it makes contact with the water system.
If you worry about the materials you are putting into your vagina, and how they may interrupt your vaginal microbiome and gynaecological health, Daye is on a mission to revolutionise period care products. Daye produce their tampons in-house, free of toxic chemicals, metals and plastics. Check them out!
How to dispose of used tampons
Used tampons should be disposed of like any other period product, in your rubbish bin or sanitary bin in public places.
So why do we have a tampon-flushing epidemic? Well other than a lack of understanding that there are tampons you can flush, the other reason stems from a systemic taboo around periods.
A white paper by a leading UK and Ireland sanitary service found that 41% of women felt shame on their periods so they hid it and 24% of those who flushed them tampons chose to do so out of embarrassment5.
While the UK is making advances in menstrual health (shoutout to Scotland for their free period products6) there are still big leaps we have to make. The lack of sanitary bins in all toilets could force the flushing of tampons by trans and non-binary users as there are no other options to dispose of tampons within the toilet cubicle.
Disposable tampon FAQs
Can flushing tampons clog a toilet?
Tampons are designed to absorb period blood but they can absorb any fluid it comes into contact with, like toilet water. They expand on contact with fluid and have the potential to get stuck in our pipes.
Can you flush biodegradable tampons?
‘Eco-friendly’ or ‘biodegradable’ should not be confused with water-soluble. These tampons are also not meant to be flushed. Yes, they are designed to slowly break down over time to reduce landfill waste, but they are still not suitable for the sewage system.
Can you flush organic tampons?
Organic tampons are made of materials that are pesticide, dye, plastic, bleach and fragrance-free. While these are better materials for our vaginal environment, it does not mean they are suitable for our toilet system as they react the same way in water, absorbing and swelling.
Can you flush tampon applicators?
Can you flush plastic tampon applicators?
Definitely not! Plastic does not break down in water, instead, over time releases microplastics into your water systems7.
Can you flush cardboard tampon applicators?
Cardboard can absorb water and become softer, but it is also not suitable for flushing. When flushed, cardboard applicators can also clump together and clog pipes.
Summary
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as tampons you can flush (YET!). However, some amazing brands like Daye have already engineered ocean-safe flushable tampon wrappers, reassuring us that there is a bright future ahead in the world of period products!
Flushing is only reserved for pee, poop and (toilet) paper. Period products do not fall into this category.
Over the last 10 years alone, the UK Marine Conservation Society, a charity determined to keep our beaches clean, have picked up over 20,000 tampons, applicators and pads from Britain’s beaches8.
Let’s work together to reduce the environmental and economic impact that flushing tampons has.
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.
