Scientists at Surrey University, UK, have made an interesting suggestion for people to use scented tablets instead of flushing the toilet. These tablets, known as Wizso, dissolve in water and change its color to blue while providing a fresh scent to the environment.
Unique experience of 20 British households
In this study, 20 British households used these tablets for a week. The tablets are specifically designed to be placed in the toilet after urination and dissolve quickly in water. The cost of each pack of these tablets is £4.45 for 240 pieces.
At the end of the week, results showed that many households welcomed this method and easily incorporated it into their daily routine. Interestingly, some participants viewed the blue color of the water as a sign of cleanliness and freshness, even associating it with bleach.
Social and cultural challenges
However, there were also issues. Many participants automatically resorted to flushing the toilet when guests were present. Additionally, women generally felt uncomfortable dealing with menstrual blood and therefore continued to flush the toilet.
Sophia Shaw-Brown, one of the researchers on this project, pointed out that social expectations and fear of judgment from others regarding not flushing the toilet are the biggest barriers to adopting this new method. She stated, "Participants who lived alone easily used this method, but this routine changed when guests arrived."
Professor Benjamin Gardner, a psychology professor at Surrey University, said: "These tablets are a simple way to save water and can help reduce the number of flushes. We hope this research helps Britons limit their water usage, especially considering that nearly a quarter of household water consumption in the UK is dedicated to flushing the toilet."
This is not the first time researchers at Surrey University have made specific suggestions for water conservation. In March, the team claimed that Britons should install timers in their showers to save more time.
Sophie Woos, one of the authors of this research, said: "Most people do not consciously track their shower time, and real-time feedback can interrupt this automatic state and make individuals aware of the passage of time, prompting them to decide to stop showering before it’s too late."
