What does Germany flush down the toilet?

A new survey from the German Association of Local Public Utilities (VKU) has revealed the most common objects that people in Germany flush down the toilet.

Germany loves flushing forbidden things down the toilet

It may seem obvious, but in Germany, you can’t throw whatever you want down the toilet, say "tschau", and move on with your day. Somebody somewhere has to deal with your dumping.

To highlight the unnecessary burdens placed on Germany’s sewage workers and systems when incorrect items are flushed away, the VKU carried out a survey asking people in Germany what they most commonly flush besides their own droppings.

According to the results, nearly 91 percent of people in Germany also throw menstrual products, medicines, leftover food and cigarette butts down the toilet, all of which belong in the bin. 21 percent admitted to throwing wet wipes down the toilet - a big no-no - while 7 percent admitted to flushing tampons, sanitary towels or condoms.

Residents pay more in the end, warns VKU

“The toilet is not a bin,” the VKU stressed, pointing out that unused medicines should be taken back to the pharmacy and depending on the region, menstrual products largely belong in the Restmüll. 

Leftover food, fat and oil all belong in the Biomüll, except in certain municipalities, where fish and meat waste must go on the Restmüll. Cat litter goes in the Restmüll too. When flushed down into the sewer, all of these items block pipes, produce awful smells and encourage vermin and rats.

Germany’s waste and recycling system can be complicated, and it may seem enticing to make it all disappear quickly. But the VKU added that flushing away forbidden items means more money must be spent on repairs and cleaning sewage systems, the cost of which residents eventually have to cover when rubbish collection fees become more expensive as a result.