In some places, dumping trash in undesignated areas can get you in trouble. You will likely receive a hefty fine if you dump your trash on the sidewalk. However, in your own home and even down your kitchen sink or toilet, you are free to dump as much as you like. That said, as with everything else in life, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it!

Clogged drains can lead to major problems in plumbing. Aside from being inconvenient, it is also expensive and time-consuming to fix.

Here are some of the most common things that should never be put down a drain:

1) Coffee Grounds 

The amount of people who don't realize how coffee grounds can still stay in pipes despite how small they are is...well, pretty big. In fact, you probably have this misconception in mind as well. The truth is that coffee grounds are often pointed to by many plumbers as the source of kitchen pipe clogging.

2) Eggshells

It's easy to find eggshells disarming or unproblematic when it comes to drains. However, that's definitely a risky assumption to make. When eggshells go down a drain, they're ground up by the garbage disposal into tiny bits. They will then end up stuck in fat, grease and other oily substances. Eventually, that will all bundle into a thick mess that causes pipe issues through clogging.

Just put your eggshells in the trash where they belong.

3) Fat, Grease and Oils 

Grease, oils, and other fatty globs will grow thick and sticky after they cool. They are notorious for clogging pipes, which can prevent water from flowing through the pipes. This problem is so common that it accounts for more than 47 percent of all sewer overflows. 

That’s why grease and oils should be poured into a can or jar: to allow them to cool before they solidify and are thrown in the trash.

4) Flushable Kitty Litter 

Don't be fooled by the term "flushable" -  it can still cause issues for your plumbing. Even if it does break down, bacteria from cat feces can be picked up by the litter. That can, in turn, cause issues over time. This bacteria can affect water quality, especially with animals like sea otters that depend on clean drinking water.

5) Produce Stickers 

Produce stickers (like those on carrots or potatoes) and fruit stickers can cause problems in your plumbing. The adhesive on the stickers can stick to the insides of your pipes and create clogs. They can also stick to the inside of pipes, eventually ending up in wastewater treatment pipes and fillers. Should they make it past all that, they'd still end up in water supply which is still problematic.

Conclusion

There's really nothing stopping people from putting things down their drain. However, just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be. Several items should never be put down a drain, like flushable kitty litter, eggshells or coffee grounds.

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