TAMPONS ARE *NOT* FLUSHABLE

[SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs]

I cannot believe the number of women nonchalantly stating somewhere on MN that they have always flushed their tampons, and expressing mild, disinterested surprise at the notion this is not okay.

So.

Stop flushing them. They are not flushable.

Cheers.

Did you tell them this on the relevant threads?

Hang on…. I was taught in school you could flush the (bit that goes inside blush) then applicator and packaging I would wrap up in loo roll and pop in the bin?

So that’s wrong?

@WorraLiberty Other people had jumped in before me, but more and more people kept saying it throughout the 800 odd post thread.

@Breastfeedingworries I’m afraid it’s wrong. No part of a tampon is flushable.

That’s mad! Glad I opened this thread at this time. I got taught one thing years ago and never thought about it again. Luckily for over 10 years I haven’t used one! So I haven’t done any harm for a long time phew

@Breastfeedingworries

Hang on…. I was taught in school you could flush the (bit that goes inside blush) then applicator and packaging I would wrap up in loo roll and pop in the bin?

So that’s wrong?

Same here. 80s baby. We were absolutely taught you could flush them.

Seems to be a British thing. Where I'm from never even considered it , much less have it as a national habit.

However, if I'm not mistaken, there were ads and campaigns years ago that stated it was perfectly fine, even advised and it's probably what most posters grew up with .

@ABitOfAShitShow This explains so much.

Spread the word ladies!

Omg I was told that at school too 😳 Oh heck. Luckily I’ve not had a period in a long time due to the pill I’m on but I’ll remember that in future

@Breastfeedingworries

Hang on…. I was taught in school you could flush the (bit that goes inside blush) then applicator and packaging I would wrap up in loo roll and pop in the bin?

So that’s wrong?

I was told this too at school. It was only recently I found out you shouldn't, but I don't have periods now so yes, I only expressed mild, distinterested surprise

@ldontWanna I should have said in my OP that this applies to the UK. Although I’d be interested in the norms elsewhere.

@ldontWanna at school they were pitched as the more discreet option. Sort of once you get the hang of them they're great, just flush them and no one will know you're on your period As a shy teen they definitely had their appeal for this reason alone!

Same here, always told you could flush them. It's been many years ago for me now too. Must ask my dds what they do - 25 & 29 yr olds

@Sparklfairy I’m sure the sewage fairies will let you off this time.

90's baby so teen in the 00's have never flushed one, we were always told not to flush them and dispose in the bins same as a sanitary pads.

I think I am surprised that you lot haven’t read the packaging, or seen the “no-flush” symbols or come across laminated signs in public/hotel toilets that say “Do not flush any feminine hygiene products” etc.

I am 99% sure I remember in the early 90s the leaflet that came with a box of tampax said you could flush them. I grew up believing that it was fine.

once I stopped needing to use them, I stopped reading packaging obviously and stopped reading public toilet signs too

E.g.

@Hardtofindafreename Makes sense!

This thread has at least answered the question of why so many are under the impression it’s okay.

From Google - this is a 1930s leaflet and I'm not quite that old but I'm sure the leaflet that was used in the 90s said something very similar.

I don't have periods any more and I used a moon up for the last 10 years before that but agree we were definitely taught you could flush in the 80s.

@SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs - maybe less of the "you lot" language and appreciate that all ages are on mumsnet and respect that things and attitudes change over the years and what used to be ok is sometimes not now. I don't read or take notice of those signs cos I don't need to anymore

A more recent one

@SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs

I think I am surprised that you lot haven’t read the packaging, or seen the “no-flush” symbols or come across laminated signs in public/hotel toilets that say “Do not flush any feminine hygiene products” etc.

Re: the latter, I think like a PP said I just assumed they meant the wrapper/applicator, pads or whatever. Pretty sure some explicitly say ‘sanitary towels’. Definitely haven’t seen a symbol but I don’t think I have ever in my life read any sanpro box because well why would I if I don’t need instructions? I’ll do my best to change my ways but I’m not sure what I would do at someone’s house…a tiny plastic wrapper can go in my pocket but a used tampon cannot.

@SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs

E.g.

Sorry but this doesn’t even remotely suggest to me that they’re asking us not to flush tampons!