The garden

Outside the house, it can seem like a constant battle to keep the drain clear and the paths weed-free. We often turn to chemicals to fight that battle, but working with nature and using natural ingredients can be just as effective and much better for the environment.

Pesticides and moss killer

Only use pesticides when you really need to. There are 150 active pesticide ingredients on sale to the public (not including veterinary products), but before you buy or use any pesticide, ask yourself if treatment with a pesticide is really necessary? Do one or two dandelions or daisies in the lawn mean that the whole lawn needs treatment? Could you remove problem weeds by using a knife or garden fork instead? Could you pick up slugs or snails when they come out at night? Predator species such as ladybird larvae can be bought by mail order and save you the job of having to spray your roses for greenfly. For more information on alternatives, see our Gardening Guide.

If you feel you must use a chemical pesticide or herbicide, only buy what you can use up in a year and mix up only what you need at any one time. Do not pour any left over mixture down the drain. For information on pesticide disposal facilities see http://www.pesticidedisposal.org/ For more advice on the danger of pesticides to the environment, alternative products and natural gardening techniques, see our pesticides in food and pesticides in the garden pages and gardening in our useful links section.

Drain cleaner

By its very nature, drain cleaner inevitably goes down our drains. But it can contain chemicals such as corrosive hydrochloric acid, and trichloroethane. It’s safer for the water environment to use alternatives such as soda crystals for clearing blocked sinks or cleaning drains. For particularly bad cases, drain rods may be necessary.

Septic tank cleaner

Again, this is designed to go down the drain, but is it really necessary? A septic tank that is of the right size and emptied regularly (every 2 to 4 years) shouldn’t need cleaning. In order to keep your septic tank working well, pay attention to what you’re putting into it. Disinfectants will not only kill off the bacteria in your house, but also the bacteria that are necessary to digest the waste in your septic tank. Using plant-based products wherever possible will minimise any chemical disruption of the delicate balance in your septic tank. In particular avoid trichlorobenzenes (1,2,4-trichlorobenzene).

Scottish Water has a leaflet on septic tank care – call 0845 601 8855 for a copy.

For further information please contact WWF Scotland: phone 01350 728200, email info@watersense.org.uk, or write to WaterSense, c/o WWF Scotland, Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld, PH8 0AD