

Using a Toilet for Tampon Disposal

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Can I use a toilet for tampon disposal?

Using a Toilet for Tampon Disposal

In the past, using a toilet for tampon disposal was a ticket to one thing – a clogged toilet. Today, however, tampon makers have helped with this problem. Any public restroom feminine hygiene guide will telll you that flushing applicators is a big no-no. However, many companies are now making tampons with applicators that are made of materials designed to break down in heavy water. This means that when these tampons are flushed, they will not be around for long enough to clog your toilet.

Tampax was the first to introduce toilet safe tampon disposal. Other manufacturers have followed and now almost any major brand, probably including your brand of choice, can provide you with these convenient models. Take a look into this at your local drug store. Save yourself the trouble of unclogging your toilet by only practicing tampon disposal in the toilet with the right kinds that won't give you problems.



8/21/2006 5:23:35 PM
Bernard Marshall said:

Can a tampon be flushed down the toilet with a septic system

10/31/2006 9:11:48 AM
Big plumbing bill said:

I don't think it's wise to flush them. I have had sewer backup because Tampax was flushed even though instructions inside box said to flush.

2/13/2007 1:12:04 PM
Suz said:

I apologize for my bluntness in advance. Interesting that only men comment on this is embarrassing. In general, women couldn't really care less about putting the applicator in a trash bin. What we want to know: is it safe to flush a used tampon down the toilet? It is completely disgusting to try to dispose of one otherwise, esp. in a public toilet where elbow room in rather limited. Public restrooms neither provide thick enough toilet paper or other bags to dispose of them in, and the possiblity of fumbling the thing is very real.
I'm aware that the fabric used is a pseudo natural fabric, rayon. I would think it would break down reasonably quickly provided the septic system is working properly (and you haven't killed the bacteria with detergents). I'm generally cautious with other people's septic systems, but you have to gauge if it is worse to leave it in the bathroom trash. If there's city sewer on the house, I always flush tampons. (I never flush the applicator).

4/21/2007 6:44:38 AM
Sally said:

You never ever want to flush tampons down the toilet because they can and do clog up plumbing. Especially if you have tree roots growing into the drain pipes. Then you have a big plumbing bill on your hands. Please dispose of them in the wastebasket.

5/16/2007 10:02:25 AM
floridagrl69 said:

definately NOT advised to flush tampons down your toilet if you are using a septic system....girls, ask your's a big no-no...they WILL find out, trust me. The way septic tanks work, they just aren't good enough to "break down" that thick tampon material.

BTW, read the packaging, it will say safe for sewer-system flushing or something like that...most young ladies don't know the difference...but a lot of newer neighborhoods in lesser-developed areas are on SEPTIC systems, and not public sewer systems.

11/11/2007 3:26:16 PM
bailey said:

i have been told that french tampons are suitable for fosse septic systems is this true or not ?????

2/11/2008 10:21:49 PM
Anonymous said:

Rayon is not truely a natural fiber. Therefore, it will not break down quick enough to prevent a blockage in your sewer line. If your house has a history of bad drainage, then I would not advise flushing them.

3/28/2008 6:12:17 AM
Ann Germanow said:

Tampons should never be flushed down the toilet. They swell to 10x their size. They are responsible for 90% of plumbing problems. They do not biodegrade in the short amount of time in the water waste stream. The contribute to sewer blockages and problems at waste treatment plants. Throw tampons and other trash not down the toilet but in a garbage can!!!

12/17/2008 8:44:59 AM
Mary said:

I own a rental house where the female tenant flushed her tampons because "the box said you could". Well, I had a raw sewerage backup in the basement and the plumber said NEVER flush tampons no matter what the box says. He fished out tons that had gotten caught on tiny tree roots on the pipe joint fittings. He used a fiberoptic camera to inspect the line because we thought the sewer line had collapsed. The tampon companies are just saying that you can flush them for convenience sake in selling. They DO NOT biodegrade. Think about it girls, if they could biodegrade that easily, they would fall apart during use! And, if they make it to the sewerage treatment plant where they are called "white rats", they are screened out and sent to landfills anyway, so just wrap 'em up in TP and put them in the trash. As far as a closed septic system, they will absolutely cause a problem so big you will have to replace the system.

12/24/2008 6:20:50 PM
Kate said:

I have a septic tank and NO!!!!! Never flush a tampon. There is no way to break it down completely. If you want to pay for a new drain field, go ahead and flush away. By the way, have you seen how big those things get when they are soaked in water???? Try putting a new one in a cup of water and see.... what do you think this could do to your pipes... If you don't want to listen, you will when you have pipe and septic tank issues. Even if you don't have septic tank, you will have pipe issues.

Hope this helps :)

12/24/2008 6:30:39 PM
Kate said:


Hope this helps :)

1/12/2009 1:38:43 PM
Jess said:

I live in a city and we just received a nasty letter from our landlord stating that tampons have cause a sewage back up,(per the Roto Rooter guy) and she wants to hike our rents because of this little "misadventure" ... I too never flush an applicator but to my knowledge, the actual tampon was to be okay. What is right way to dispose of a tampon??

7/1/2009 4:34:56 PM
Ann said:

Despite what a tampon package may say, they should never be flushed down the toilet. Tampons which are designed to absorb can swell to 10x their size. They are one of the top culprits for causing toilet and pipe blockages.

Tampons do not biodegrade, disintegrate, decompose or disperse in the short amount of time spent in the sewer system. Tampons maintain their structure throughout the entire wastewater system and can cause damage to equipment.

Never flush tampons into a septic system!

Tampons and other feminine care products should be tossed in the trash-not down the toilet!

I've discovered new biodegradable plastic feminine hygiene disposal bags on the market to help with this problem!

9/1/2009 3:57:06 AM
Randa said:

I waz worried about the same thing. Coz its reali disgusting 2 dispose tampons in bins as it is really messy. Is it safe 2 continuously dispose tampons by flushing them down the toilet?

10/18/2009 1:10:56 PM
Daddy's little girl said:

My 16 year daughter and her friends decided that flushing their tampons down my 87 year old home plumbing was ok. The plumbers bill for last Fridays night clogged sewer was $ 875.00
I decided to go on line and find those discrete little disposal bags to put in the bathroom.
SAVE YOURSELF BIG BUCKS and train them earlier.
Looks like Mom did not do her job well in this dept. hence all the Daddy's on this site.
Get it MoMmies?

7/27/2011 5:20:13 PM
Sarah said:

Nope! In spite of what the manufacturers say (to sell more product), tampons should never be flushed. Because the tampons swell up to 10x their size when saturated (believe it or not, our used tampons are nowhere near saturation) they can cause a very real problem in pipes.

But as important to consider are the problems they cause at the sewage treatment plants. These plants send our waste through a series of processes designed to turn our waste into poo soup, which is then treated before final disposal so we don't muck up the environment. Tossing tampons in the trash follows the same thinking as recycling--we are separating our different types of waste so they can be most effectively treated and disposed to minimize our environmental impact. So, if you're a supporter of recycling, then you should become a supporter of tossing those tampons!

I'm not immune to the grossness of having to wrap and toss a tampon, but I think it's worthwhile. Also, why are we so grossed out by monthly blood, when we're not (as) grossed out by blood from a cut? As women, we should be encouraging our sisters to view tampons as we would view band-aids; something to be disposed carefully, certainly, but not flushed!

11/5/2011 11:03:00 PM
Pat said:


I just paid 120 dollars to clear a drain clogged with "safe" tampons.

If you own the building you can flush. If not, bring a bag in your purse and thow in trash.

1/17/2012 12:00:02 PM
lori said:

The metal containers with closed tops are a real health hazard in public toilets for women. Hazardous contact with blood from other people (hepatitis, HIV) is easily possible, even just while opening the top. The open garbages are much safer. However, for the cleaners, it is a real hazard and I hope they are educated to the dangers, so take proper precautions with gloves (and change them, when cleaning the faucets and sinks!)


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