In Tenerife, where crystal-clear waters meet volcanic landscapes, we are privileged to witness the beauty of the ocean every day. However, there is a lesser acknowledged growing environmental issue that demands our attention: the impact of improper flushing habits on our marine ecosystems.
A Growing Concern: What’s Happening Underwater
Our flushing habits have far-reaching consequences, as revealed by underwater footage and photography provided by Innoceana Tenerife. Sewage pipes are releasing untreated waste into the ocean, causing untold damage to marine life. Among the most significant potential culprits to such blockages and leakages are wet wipes. Single-use and convenient for personal and household cleaning, but devastating to our waste systems when flushed down the toilet.
Wet wipes, often mislabeled as “flushable,” do not disintegrate like toilet paper. Instead, they bind together with fats, oils, and other debris to form “fatbergs” that clog sewage systems. Shockingly, up to 75% of major sewer blockages are composed of wet wipes. These findings align with research published by Water UK in their “Bin the Wipe” campaign (2023), which highlights the environmental and infrastructural costs of flushing wet wipes.
How Wet Wipes Harm the Ocean
During our beach clean-ups in Tenerife, we frequently find wet wipes and other unflushable items washing ashore, a continuous reminder of this issue. Wet wipes that escape treatment facilities often enter rivers and seas, where they break down into microplastics. These plastics are ingested by marine animals, leading to starvation and death. The fibers from wet wipes can also damage ecosystems by entangling marine creatures and disrupting habitats.
A study by Atasağun and Bhat (2018), “Advancement in Flushable Wipes: Modern Technologies and Characterization,” emphasises that truly flushable wipes must be biodegradable, dispersible, and compatible with water treatment systems—standards most commercial wet wipes fail to meet. This further underscores the need for better consumer awareness and product design.
A Simple Solution: Bin It, Don’t Flush It
The solution is straightforward but powerful: the only items that should be flushed are human waste and toilet paper—and even toilet paper should be assessed for compatibility with your sewage system. Everything else, including wet wipes, belongs in the bin.
By adopting this simple habit, we can prevent blockages in pipes and protect our environment. Campaigns like Water UK’s “Bin the Wipe” have demonstrated the significant impact of this behaviour change, and it’s a lesson we must carry forward here in Tenerife.
Changing Consumer Habits for a Healthier Planet
Despite widespread awareness of the harm caused by improper flushing, these behaviours persist. True “flushable” wipes must meet stringent criteria: they should be biodegradable, dispersible, and compatible with water treatment systems. However, most wipes on the market fail to meet these standards.
Canary Green’s tips to enjoying sustainable tourism in Tenerife
Visiting Tenerife on holiday doesn’t give you free rein to leave your values and principles at home. We encourage travellers to seek out sustainable options and keep up with environmental practices while travelling. Our top tips for a relaxed and wholesome stay include:
- Consider green transport options. Are you able to take a ferry to the island instead of flying? While you are here is a car necessary? Investigate public transport links or choose green options such as electric cars, green-hydrogen cars or e-bikes.
- Choose destinations that value sustainability and choose green alternatives such as solar power, recycling and energy-efficient architecture. This extends to places that value workers’ rights and the impact on the local community.
- Bring your own water bottle with you and refill it instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
- Make use of the recycling when out and about and don’t just throw your rubbish in the nearest bin.
- Take advantage of local knowledge and immerse yourself in the culture through campaigns such as #Ilovecanarias and #meatfreemondaycanarias.
- Most of all, have fun and enjoy your time in the Canary Islands.
If you are interested in booking a tour with MardeOns and supporting sustainable tourism in Tenerife, visit their website here.
connect with us
Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved in this Canary Green project where our aim is to help promote sustainable tourism in the Canary Islands.
Do you want us to find you more sustainable choices? Please support us and donate today.
- John Beckley; Founder of Canary Green non profit
- Canary Green non profit:
- Photographer; Matteo Guedia
- Videographer; Matteo Guedia & Shayne Fogarty
- Author of the blogpost: Shayne Fogarty
- Social Media & Events: Anneleen Nitelet
- Funding Coordinator: Lina Vosyliute
- Our amazing Sponsors
- In cooperation with Canary PR, Tenerife Magazine