People still flush tampons?

Question

I would have thought that in the US in this day and age there wasn't a woman left alive who thinks it's ok to flush tampons. And yet I just came across one in the public restroom in our lobby in Milwaukee. So obviously there's ONE out there who didn't get the memo.

This isn't a rant or chat - I'm curious as to why you think someone would do that and how they could possibly not realize you're supposed to dispose of them properly.

I'm also curious about how often this happens, if anyone out here is in a position to know.

(I guess laziness is an option, or not caring....even though the proper container is right there.)

Answer 1

I didn't know we couldn't flush them until we clogged up the bathroom at my home.  I guess people figure the public toilets are stronger and can flush it down.  Put signs up in the bathroom saying "Please do not flush sanitary waste down the toilet.  It WILL clog and overflow."  Make sure the little containers are present in each stall.

Answer 2

I for one always dispose of my tampons in the container on the wall.

Its so disgusting when I find a tampon in the toilet and everyone knows that eventually it will back up the system.

Answer 3

I no longer wear tampons anymore, but certain brands do make them biodegradable.  I'm not saying all (or most) but some do. Yes, the ones that are not should be disposed of properly but some can be flushed.  Also, I think it's a matter of not caring if it cannot be flushed.  People care more for their own bathrooms then they do a public restroom (I'm assuming).

Answer 4

yep thats terrible

Answer 5

actually I had that conversation her recntally and found out someone I knew forever never got the message and when asked why she said because the box said it was flushable and nobody ever told her any different.  Strange

Answer 6

I would probably say that they are just lazy. It's more convenient to just drop it.

I will have to say how rude though! I discover it at my work too and the disposal is right on the wall next to it! We put a note on the door inside asking them not to because it will eventually back up the system.

Answer 7

It is definitely not laziness as the container is a handwidth away.. so she can remain seated and dispose of it.. there should be a small paper bag in the container which should be provided by cleaning services ... in all toilets for women.. if there is no such paper bag in there and the dirty tampon gets thrown into an empty container.. then the cleaner will have to take all that bloody stuff out there with her or his hands.. hope they have disposable gloves at work....That might have been a reason... you would be surprised. I have seen students pouring thick soup down the sink and clogged that up completely.. and in the water fountain the same. If someone throws a tampon into the toilet .. eventually the drains will get clogged and the toilet will have to be closed for repairs.. to unclog it... xx

Answer 8

You can blame the folks at Procter & Gamble (makers of Tampax).

http://www.amazon.com/Tampax-Multipax-Fl...

Their product description says "Flushable and biodegradable for clean, easy disposal."  Hence the confusion.  

(Me, personally -- I don't EVER flush 'em.  It would be my bad luck to clog the toilet at someone's house and then have to face the embarrassment as they fished a used one out of the plumbing.)

Answer 9

Maybe it fell in by mistake and the person didn't want to fish it out. I doubt it though. Some people are just use to leaving a mess for others to clean up.

Answer 10

Eurgh that's gross I certainly don't.

Answer 11

Lol, our teacher talked about his bud working in a job that involved cleaning tampons out of the sewage because people cannot get it through their thick heads that you're supposed to put them in the trash can. XD  

Answer 12

The last time I read a tampon box (when I was 14 -- um.. over 20 years ago) the box said they are flushable.  We need to re-educate today's women.  This needs to be mentioned on the TV ads in those voiceover disclaimers at the end, as well as printed on the box in bright yellow (not red please) letters!

Answer 13

i have plumbing that reveals, within a short time, when tampons have been flushed.  Here are the reasons that have been given regarding *why* they were flushed:

1. I dropped the string and I am not going to put my hand in there to fish it out!  (you can put your hand in there and clear the pipe for me)

2. *one* tampon cannot make much difference, and i hate it that people will see my discarded tampon and *know*

3. If i put it in the receptical, people will smell it and be disgusted (fishing it out of the pipe is not as disgusting, because only one person has to smell it)

4. Wow, you mean they do not disolve like toilet paper?

I think an advisory IN BIG LETTERS should be on every box, explaining that FLUSHED TAMPONS CLOG PLUMBING AND COMPLICATE WASTEWATER PROCESSING

Thanks for offering this opportunity for re-education of the tampon flushing sector ;)

Answer 14

Yeah the box says that you shouldn't flush if there isn't  waste bin at hand, so i guess some people are just lazy. Ot there isn't adequate waste disposal in place.