- Please don't flush it.

Every day our beaches and rivers come under threat from our own bad habits. This is because each year we flush two billion items down the toilet which could pollute our waterways.

Southern Water's sewers and treatment works are built to deal with human waste and water. However, if non-biodegradeable items such as nappies are flushed down the toilet they can cause blockages.

This can lead to flooding in homes and gardens and pollution in rivers and the sea.

Pollution presents a possible health risk to humans and animals so Southern Water wants to help keep our environment as clean and healthy as possible.

For a cleaner, free flowing system, join our Bag It and Bin It campaign - wrap up personal items and throw them in the bin.

It's easy to help clean up our environment:

Fat
Fat, grease and cooking oil blocks sewers. Mix fat with seeds, nuts and raisins to make a 'cake' for birds to eat or let the fat solidify in a container and put it in the bin.

Toilet Paper
Toilet paper decomposes naturally and can be flushed down the toilet.

Tampons and Applicators
Wrap up and put in the bin.

Sanitary Towels
Dispose of them in special bags available from pharmacies.

Nappies
Flush the baby's waste down the toilet, then wrap the nappy and put it in the bin. Supermarkets also sell nappy disposal bags.

Incontinence Pads
Use special bags available from pharmacies.

Cotton buds, bandages, plasters and dental floss
Throw these in the bin.

Razors and Blades
Wrap these in something hard and protective and put them in the bin

Condoms
These should be wrapped up and put in the bin.

Medicines
Return unused or out of date medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Syringes and Needles
Contact your local hospital or health authority for details of the nearest needle bank. These can cause injuries to refuse collectors or wastewater operatives.

Chemicals
Ask your local council what arrangements they have for disposing of these dangerous substances.

Just remember to bag it and bin it - don't flush it

www.bagandbin.org*

Bag It and Bin It is a national campaign led by the water industry to promote the responsible disposal of personal products.

*Southern Water is not responsible for content on external sites.