Campaign aims to end faux pas flushing

RESEARCHERS at the University of Abertay Dundee want the public to do their dirty work in a beach-clean campaign this week on the island of Arran. Nicky Soutar, David Milne and Angus Swain, of the university's waste water technology centre, are leading a "Think Before You Flush" campaign, supported by three Scottish water authorities. The campaign aims to stop people flushing sanitary waste such as tampons and condoms down the toilet.

Much of the waste washes up on beaches, and the trio are leading a beach-clean in four tourist areas. The public will be asked to note the waste they have collected and the data will be used for research. The researchers will also investigate the island's waste water systems. Ernie Chambers, of West of Scotland Water, said: "Sanitary products and toiletries cause major problems at waste water treatment works, making it more difficult to treat sewage efficiently."