Danger of constipation: This happens if you throw leftover food or tampons into the toilet

The last remnants of last night's soup are still floating in the pot and you're impatiently looking for a suitable place to dispose of it: a trip to the toilet can quickly help. But many of us are not aware of the consequences - incorrect disposal not only leads to major problems for the environment, but can also have harmful consequences for health.

We have summarized the consequences for you, as well as tips and tricks on how you can dispose of leftovers and leftovers sustainably.

The classic: Hygiene items such as tampons and sanitary pads do not belong in the toilet. Many menstruating people dispose of their hygiene products in the toilet, usually not because they don't know any better, but rather out of shame. That's why there should be a small trash can in every bathroom (- dear men, yours too!).

Consequences: If hygiene products are disposed of incorrectly, this can lead to blocked pipes and pump failures.

Tipp:If there is no trash can, the tampon or pad can simply be wrapped in toilet paper and disposed of at the nearest waste disposal site. If you notice that there are no trash cans installed in a restaurant or café, please point this out to the owner. Most of the time there is no bad intention behind it, just ignorance.

Wet wipes are usually marked as such on the packaging. The wipes don't belong in the toilet. Despite the name, wet toilet paper is not the equivalent of normal toilet paper: the wet wipes have a similar material to make-up remover wipes. It is better to dispose of them in the trash can.

But tissues and kitchen paper are also a no-go for the toilet bowl: they are usually used during productionWet strength agents based on synthetic polymersused - these are difficult to biodegrade. Going to the trash can is a much better choice.

Consequences:If wet wipes etc. are not disposed of correctly, this can lead to blockages. Once the cloths have made it to the sewage treatment plant, they must be removed from the wastewater using a sieve, collected and burned.

Tipp:It's best to always place wet wipes on the trash can in the bathroom - this way you can quickly remind yourself that the wipes should be thrown away in the trash instead of in the toilet.

To get rid of the annoying tufts of hair from the brush, many people use the toilet flush. However, this is not the right approach. Fingernails should also not end up in the toilet bowl because they are difficult to break down.

Consequences:The collected hair or tufts of hair can get caught in the pipe and subsequently lead to blockages.

Tipp:It is better to collect individual hairs with a cloth and put them in the trash can. This also applies to shaving stubble etc. The best way to do this is to insert the plug into the bathtub or shower and clean the razor in the accumulated water. The remains can then be removed by hand or with a cloth.

Even though plastic cotton swabs can no longer be found in drugstores, Q-tips can still cause a lot of damage - even if their replacements are usually made of cardboard or bamboo. Because in the toilet they just sink to the bottom and are difficult to break down.

Dental floss should also be disposed of in the trash: Unfortunately, the thread made of plastic fibers is virtually non-degradable and remains as stable as it was on day one despite contact with water.

Consequences:In addition to blocking the toilet, the plastic particles and other components of the cotton swabs can pose a great danger to animals as soon as they end up in the water. In the worst case, dental floss can also develop into a ball that clogs the pipes.

Tipp:Place cotton swabs and dental floss on a facial tissue - so both items can then be crumpled up and disposed of in the trash.

Microplastics are often found in peelings, shower gels and toothpaste. When you flush it down the toilet, the plastic particles end up in the wastewater.

Consequences:Microplastics ultimately end up in lakes and waterways because the particles cannot be filtered. Microplastics can also end up in our food and drinking water through groundwater.

Tipp:Try to use products with microplastics - there is a large selection of microplastic-free items on Amazon - like thisSante shower gel*.

In order to quickly get rid of the last bits of food, many people use flushing the toilet as a solution. But be careful: serious consequences can also develop here. By the way, this also applies to soups etc. Therefore, leftover food also belongs in the organic or residual waste.

Consequences:Discarded food can attract rats. If the food also contains a lot of fat, it can get stuck in the pipes.

Tipp:If the food is too liquid, a kitchen towel can help and the leftovers can be absorbed. Also helpful: it's best to plan so that no food has to be thrown away. This way we protect both the toilet and the environment.

In many series or films, medications and pills are flushed down the toilet - without being aware of the consequences. Many parents choose the easy route to the toilet, especially to keep children away from medicines.

Consequences:The active ingredients of the medication can enter the wastewater through toilet use and cause major environmental pollution. Even animals are not safe from danger: thisFederal Environment AgencyFor example, reports the feminization of male fish because they came into contact with hormonal drugs.

Tipp:It is best to store medication in locked cupboards or in containers with childproof locks. Any leftover pills can then be disposed of in the trash. It is even better if the medicines are taken to the pharmacy or pollutant collection points. There they are completely burned and can no longer cause any damage.

The situation is similar for nail polish and nail polish remover: These pollutants also do not belong in the toilet. The same also applies to conventional cleaning products, such as detergents.

Consequences:The toxins can also get into the groundwater - and thus pollute our environment.

Tipp:There are now a number of products that have a sustainability seal. Dried paint and varnish residues should also be disposed of in the residual waste, while liquid residues should be disposed of with hazardous waste. The recycling center is also an option for disposing of the leftovers.

In itself, it is not an incomprehensible idea to dispose of the excrement of cats etc. in the toilet. But here too, going to the residual waste is the better way.

Consequences:As soon as excrement and small animal litter come into contact with water, clumps can form, which in case of doubt can lead to constipation.

Tipp:If possible, place a second trash can right next to the cage. This means the journey is not so far and the waste can be disposed of quickly. There is now also cat litter that can be disposed of via the toilet (to buy here on Amazon*)