Oceans Kitchens And Bathrooms
Oceans Kitchens And Bathrooms
8,000,000
8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year
48%
48% of the British public have flushed wet wipes
180,000,000
180 million - estimated number of cotton buds flushed down our toilets each year
48%
48% of the nation pour fats, oils and grease (FOG) down their drains
New world, new habits: make a small change to save our sewers and seas
- Do you want to help reduce the amount of plastic entering our seas and rivers?
- Do you want to help fight environmentally-damaging fatbergs?
In a fast-changing world, now is the time to take action! Unblocktober will help you make small changes to your habits and the way you dispose of certain everyday items, in order to make a big difference to the environment - at a time when it needs our help more than ever.
It's easy - so come and join us in making October… Unblocktober!
What is Unblocktober?
Unblocktober is the world's first month-long national campaign and awareness month to improve the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas - driven completely by the British public.
Launched in 2019, the first Unblocktober saw more than 4,500 Britons across the country pledge to change their kitchen and bathroom habits at home and at work. This rose to more than 14,500 in 2020 - and this year we need even more of you to get involved!
Why Unblocktober?
We have spent decades consistently pouring dangerous liquids and items into our drains, leading to the creation of fatbergs - enormous masses of congealed fat, oil, grease, wet wipes, period care products, cotton buds, condoms, nappies, bandages and much more.
These huge fatbergs block drains and sewers, causing them to work less effectively than they should. The problem has gotten much worse since the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many people's recycling habits fall by the wayside, and resulted in discarded face masks and rubber gloves clogging our waterways.
Although 77% of the population know what a fatberg is and 64% say they are 'very aware' of what should and shouldn't go down their drains, 48% willingly continue to put fatberg-forming substances into our sewers.* It's time for this to change!
*Source: Lanes for DrainsWhen sewers and drains get blocked, it can cause any or all of the following problems:
Foul waste flooding
Pollution
Excavation and repair, causing roadworks
Improper waste disposal can also lead to plastic pollution, which is another global crisis that we need to fight.
Disposable face masks, nappies, period care products, cotton buds and many of the other items we list below are non-biodegradable because they contain hidden plastics.
Putting them in our drains increases the chances of plastic making its way into our rivers and seas - into which approximately 8 million pieces of plastic find their way every day
The good news: even a small change in your habits can make a big difference...
How to get involved
All we want is for you to pay more attention to what you put down the drain this October and commit to putting none of the following items down your drains or toilets for the whole month:
Anything containing plastic, including:
Period products - tampons, applicators and wrappers
Anything containing plastic, including:
Period products - sanitary/menstrual pads and towels
Anything containing plastic, including:
Nappies
Anything containing plastic, including:
Condoms
Anything containing plastic, including:
Cotton buds
Anything containing plastic, including:
Contact lenses
Anything containing plastic, including:
Bandages and plasters
Anything containing plastic, including:
Dental floss
Anything containing plastic, including:
Razor blades
Supporters
Each year, we have to clear over 75,000 blockages from our sewers caused mainly by a combination of cooking oil and wet wipes put down our drains. These blockages can lead to sewage flooding in our customers' homes, which is a horrendous experience, and damage to the environment.
Most wet wipes are over 90 per cent plastic - it's almost as bad as putting a plastic bag down the loo. Unblocktober is a fantastic way of raising awareness of this problem and we hope all of our customers make the pledge.
Matt Rimmer, head of waste networks, Thames Water
There is so much confusing information out there about what is flushable and what isn't. Unblocktober is a great opportunity for us to help share more information about what we can and can't flush and how non-flushable items, such as wet wipes and sanitary towels, are polluting our rivers and seas.
"We're delighted to continue our support for Unblocktober. It's an important campaign. We work closely with communities in the North West, through projects with schools, businesses and customers, to keep them informed about how we can avoid floods and fatbergs. Unblocktober is another excellent way to help inspire people to look after our sewers and seas."
Sewer flooding can be a really upsetting experience for our customers. In the last year alone, we've cleared 10,000 blockages caused by a build-up of fat and unflushable items in our sewers.
So we're thrilled to be supporting the Unblocktober campaign, raising awareness of the impact fat, oil, grease, wet wipes and more can have on our sewer network and environment, and helping people understand that only the 3ps - pee, poo and paper should be put down the loo, and all food waste in the bin.
Elvira Gabos, FOG & Unflushables Project Manager, Southern Water
We're pleased to be supporting Unblocktober and can't wait to spread the word throughout Yorkshire as we continue our anti-blockage campaign tour.
40% of all blockages in sewers in Yorkshire are caused by people putting the wrong things down their toilets and sink. Reducing the number of blockages in our sewers is a massive job and, as well as asking our customers to do their bit by thinking carefully about what they're putting down their sinks and toilets, we remain 100% committed to doing everything we can to reduce the number of sewer blockages in the region.
Sewers need love too! With 600,000 km of sewers and drains under our feet, it's time to give TLC to our most valuable, yet out of sight, asset. It's brilliant to see that Unblocktober is here, challenging us to pay attention to our hidden, underground friend, so we look after it properly and help the environment.
We are delighted to be supporting Unblocktober, which is a campaign close to our hearts at Anglian Water.
Sewer blockages and fatbergs – mainly caused by a build-up of wet wipes, fats, oils, grease and food waste creating solid masses have been increasing in frequency in recent years. Preventable blockages cost us over £19million a year and we estimate around 800 tonnes of unflushable items are being flushed every week in the East of England region.
We are urging people to not put anything down toilets unless it is pee, poo or (toilet) paper and all food waste should be put into food waste bins and not down sinks.
We are delighted to be supporting Unblocktober to help raise awareness of the importance of improving the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas. By understanding what can and can't be put down drains and toilets, and changing our habits accordingly, we can all significantly reduce the amount of pollution in streets, rivers and watercourses and help to keep our pipes clear and prevent flooding. It only takes simple steps to make a big difference – and our hope is that this campaign will help to drive long-lasting behavioral change that will positively impact public health and the environment.
Many of our members are at the forefront of efforts to counter the damage caused by fats, oils and grease and products like wipes that get into our sewer network. That's why we are proud to support Unblocktober. Only by working together can we change our behaviours and prevent the pollution of our precious waterways and oceans.
Matthew Izzard, Chairman of UKSTT (United Kingdom Society of Trenchless Technology)
Last year we picked up over 5,000 plastic cotton bud sticks in 2 hours on a beach clean in our area. We also regularly find wet wipes on local beaches. Most of these will have been flushed down the loo. It's so important for everyone to remember that what you put down your drains can have a huge impact on our environment. When we go into schools to talk to children about our campaign, we always make a point of telling them that only the four P's should ever be flushed down the loo - Pee, Poo, Puke and (loo) Paper. This message needs to be more widely spread, and Unblocktober is a great campaign highlighting the issue.
Unblocktober is such an important campaign to prevent sewer blockages and improve the health of our watercourses and seas and we're proud to be supporting it.
The campaign gives the water industry a great opportunity to work together to raise awareness of the issues by using engaging and consistent messages. Many of our members see first-hand the devastating impact sewer blockages can have on customers and the environment and are leading efforts to tackle the problem. This is why we are actively involved in forums to improve best practice, in particular the Grease Contractors Association.
Ultimately, we believe communication and education should underpin any solution, which is why campaigns such as Unblocktober are so valuable.
We believe continued collaboration and communication are key to reducing sewer blockages caused by fat, oil and grease, and other unflushables. This is why we're supporting Unblocktober.
Our sewers are under increasing pressure and we all know fatbergs are a bigger problem than ever before - we all have to act now.
Our members are doing their bit by specifying, installing and maintaining grease management systems, educating owners of food service and other establishments and developing best practice to be shared across the industry. But we all have to collaborate if we are to solve the problem long-term. Unblocktober is the perfect way to bring the industry and the public together.
We fully support Unblocktober and its objective to drive real behavioural and environmental change in this country and beyond.
The Water Jetting Association strongly supports Unblocktober and all it is seeking to achieve. Many WJA members are drainage contractors who deal with the major problems caused by fats, oils and grease and items like wipes every day. We would urge everyone to help reduce blockages and the devastating environmental impact of plastic pollution.
FabLittleBag is a huge supporter of the Unblocktober campaign spearheaded by Lanes Group; until people stop flushing flushables such as tampons, pads, wipes down the loo, our sewers, rivers, oceans and beaches will suffer pollution. Our mantra of #BeABinnerNotAFlusher has never been more important. Lets all get behind this fabulous campaign; Be a Binner and everyones a Winner!
Unblocktober is a great initiative by Lanes Group to educate people about changing their habits from flush it to bin it and focus on saving our sewers and seas. Keeping sanitary waste out of toilet is extremely important to prevent sewer blockage and environmental damage.
We're proud to be supporting the Unblocktober campaign – raising awareness about putting the wrong things down the drain is a cause that's close to our hearts.
Sewers are under increasing pressure from years of bad habits. We want to help people understand that pouring items such as fats, oils and grease down the sink can cause serious problems for sewers, homes, businesses and the environment.
We hope that Unblocktober will emphasise that making small changes to our behaviours can make a big difference to the health of our networks.
Wave Utilities
We're proud to be supporting Unblocktober and to raise awareness about proper drainage care. We're already helping people to upgrade their drainage at the Drainage Superstore - but of course that's only half the story! We'll be spreading the word about keeping the wrong stuff out of the nation's drainage systems and how everyone can help to the sewers clear and working properly for everyone.
Through working with water companies – and spending time with food service establishments – we know first-hand the damage that can be caused when fats, oils and grease (FOG) and food waste is discharged into the sewer network.
"It leads to all sorts of issues for food businesses, water companies, communities, and the environment. From bad smells, to pollution in rivers and seas.
"We believe that education – and trapping this waste at source – is the key to unlocking the problem. And that's why we're delighted to be championing the Unblocktober campaign.
Philip Soden, Managing Director, ECAS
Wipes are great for lots of things, but one thing they're really not good for is our sewer pipes. Blockages could easily be prevented if people just simply binned their wipes and sanitary products, instead of flushing them down the loo. A blockage can easily cause sewer flooding for homes, businesses and the local environment, which would be awful for anyone to have to experience, but totally avoidable.
We're really happy to be supporting the Unblocktober campaign , it's a great way to raise awareness and get people to understand the wider impact to the environment too!
Grant Mitchell, Sewer Blockages Lead, SevernTrent
We are delighted to show our support for Unblocktober and will continue to spread this message far and wide. At SwiftComply, we are advocates for positive change, protecting the environment, our people, wildlife and natural watercourses from the devastating effects of fat, oil and grease (FOG) pollution.
Whilst we all might not contribute to the problem, we can each play our part in the solution. Let's continue to raise awareness, promote best practices and fight the fatbergs!
Not using the toilet as a bin is a quick and simple way to reduce blockages in sewers. This helps you to protect the environment, protect your family and your neighbours from sewage floods in the home and save yourself time and money. We are therefore delighted to lend our support to Unblocktober.
Steve Grebby, Policy Manager, CCW
We don't realize how important our drains and sewers are until a disaster strikes. As the owner of a company that provides plumbing services, I see first hand that people sometimes throw things down the toilet without thinking too much about it.
Unblocktober is the perfect opportunity for us to be a bit more eco friendly, save the wildlife and keep the oceans as blue as they are.
When we came across this Unblocktober initiative, we immediately knew this was something we would support wholeheartedly.
Environment and sustainability are key-values for us and it's definitely something we want to drive focus towards too at every chance we get.
Unblocktober is truly a great initiate and reason to again emphasize on the importance of keeping drains and by extension rivers and oceans clean.
If not for something else, then at least do it for your own ease of mind and health. Let's get the word out!
Evelynn Verdyck, Underground Technologies Product Manager, RIDGID
Scottish Water is delighted to be supporting the Unblocktober campaign this year. This will continue to raise awareness about the small things we can all do in our bathrooms & kitchens to play a part helping keep drains & sewers running smoothly – and help our planet too.
We go out to reports of around 100 blocked drains and sewers every day across Scotland – over 36,000 a year – and these can cause sewer flooding and environmental pollution. A staggering 80% of these are avoidable, caused when people put 'unflushable' items, such as wipes and period products, down toilets and fat, oil or grease down sinks and drains.
Simple changes can make a real difference - only flush toilet paper, pee & poo, and recycle or put all cooled fat, oil, grease and food waste in a bin, not down the sink.
Sign up today!
Are you ready to do your bit for the environment?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we're living in a new world - and the British public has the power to take the health of our sewers and seas into their own hands.
That means you and everyone around you share the responsibility of protecting the planet from pollution and fatbergs.
However, the beauty of Unblocktober is that it's so simple to play your part and feel the pride of knowing you're helping the environment in its most desperate hour of need.
If you no longer want to feel powerless about the plastic waste and pollution problem we've seen since the pandemic, you should sign up for Unblocktober.
If you know how fats, oils, grease and plastic can affect our sewers and drains and want to contribute to the fight against fatbergs, you should sign up for Unblocktober.
If you want to avoid costly callouts from drainage engineers who need to unblock your drains, you should sign up for Unblocktober.
It's so easy to sign up - simply select an option below and fill out the short form. That's it - you've accepted the Unblocktober challenge!
We'll then send you a resource pack that you will need to make your achievement official and that contains tips, advice, checklists, equipment lists, stories from other participants, and much more.
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Further Resources
Source: https://www.unblocktober.org/
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