MTU Cork Students Urged to Think Before They Flush

A national campaign tackling one of Ireland's less glamorous environmental problems made a stop at MTU Cork's Bishopstown Campus this week, as part of Green Campus Week.

The Think Before You Flush campaign, now in its tenth year, is run by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann. Its core message is straightforward: only the 3Ps should go down the toilet, that is pee, poo and paper. Everything else belongs in the bin.

Cork city is one of the regional focus areas for this year's campaign, and the visit to MTU Cork gave students the chance to learn about the real-world consequences of flushing unsuitable items, including blockages in home plumbing, sewage spills, and damage to water quality and marine habitats.

The information stand also highlighted the linked Think Before You Pour campaign, which tackles the disposal of fats, oils, and greases, known as FOGs, down kitchen sinks. Rather than flowing harmlessly away, FOGs cool and solidify in wastewater pipes. When they combine with flushed wipes, hair, and dental floss, the result is a fatberg, a dense mass of solidified waste that can cause serious blockages. Uisce Éireann clears thousands of such blockages from the national wastewater network every year.

Nuala Woods, Uisce Éireann's Head of Wastewater Operations, said:

"We hope that students across MTU Cork who engaged with the Think Before You Flush/Pour campaigns during Green Campus Week will continue to support Uisce Éireann's efforts to protect our precious environment. Small changes in everyday habits can have a big impact, and thankfully our research shows that attitudes and flushing behaviours are moving in the right direction, though there is always more work to do. Events like these play a vital role in raising awareness about what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink."

Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Development Officer, said:

"It was great to meet the students of MTU Cork to talk about marine litter, sewage related litter and water quality. The campaign gives simple and practical advice on how to make a real difference to our waterways. The students were so engaged and interested, giving hope that together with small actions we can make big changes."

The campaign has been running since 2015 and works with communities, businesses, and schools across Ireland each year to promote better habits through workshops, events, and clean-ups.

For more information or to get involved, visit thinkbeforeyouflush.org or follow @CleanCoasts on social media.