Nearly half of women flush tampons, according to research by Anglian Water. Up to 2 billion sanitary items disposed down toilets are a cause of blocked pipes and sewers, flooding and environmental damage. Condoms and cotton buds cause similar issues, as do wet wipes – even those sold as flushable. The advice is to bin these items, and campaigners are pushing for better disposal information on products.

Half of UK women flush tampons away – this has to stop – The Guardian