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The planet is our home; we need to be more responsible. Here's what I do.

Double flush dilemma

Hands up if you recognize this?

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Have you ever used one?

It’s a duel flush system on a toilet. They come in all shapes and sizes. And I’m of the opinion they could be a good thing.

However, this one has a dirty secret. It’s not connected properly.

Now I’m a user of the short flush option so I pressed it. The task in hand required little effort and water!

Nothing happened!

Sadly
I’m beginning to think no one else uses them. Certainly not the people who own the hotels and big businesses that have them copiously installed in their organizations.

This isn’t the first time I’ve come across one that first work properly. They seem to be not connected more often than not.

Another example of green wash.

Let’s give the appearance that our organization is greener

but let’s not really provide a lower water use alternative at all.

Have you found this too?

have you spotted other apparently green options that are false?

Furthermore

Now I launched this post earlier today and I’m already aware of a need for an additional section.

It seems from the comments that duel flush toilets are a less common thing than I had assumed.

This toilet has the option to deliver two different amounts of water. One small for less considerable tasks, one greater for larger tasks.

It also seems that it may be more common in some parts of the works than others.

It seems that in Australia it’s a mandatory water saving device while in the US it may be unknown. In Europe it’s very common.

So if you’re reading this now could you please comment with your continent and whether you’re familiar with this device?

Thanks 😃

54 comments on “Double flush dilemma

  1. Uncle Spike
    July 9, 2014

    Dual flush is almost standard even in Turkey! … and yes, ours work 🙂

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      Go Turkey looks like you’re well equipped in toilets even if you don’t have squirrel bridges.

      Like

  2. The Crazy Crone
    July 9, 2014

    Dual flush is the only one available in Australia, due to waterwise measures.

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      So in Oz they are mandatory, in Europe they are common but in the US unheard of?

      Like

  3. lindaswildlifegarden
    July 9, 2014

    Reblogged this on Linda's wildlife garden and commented:
    Lovely post thank you for sharing Liz have a blessed day

    Like

  4. I am embarrassed to say everytime I find myself at a toilet like these I don’t know which button I’m supposed to push for what….

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      Well I think generally the larger button/panel delivers a larger volume of water for an … er … more challenging task…..

      Like

      • AnnetteM
        July 13, 2014

        Yes, but sometimes it is more confusing than that – our new toilet has a circle with an inner square and you have to push both parts down for a longer flush. I too have problems sometimes.

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        Ah we have one a but like that. But the middle pops up and can then be pressed to stop the flush too. It is confusing!

        Like

      • AnnetteM
        July 13, 2014

        Can it? I must look more closely.

        Like

  5. bmary
    July 9, 2014

    I’ve never seen these…hmmm…

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      As I’ve just commented, weird that the two US residents so far aren’t familiar with them….

      Like

  6. sadnesstheory
    July 9, 2014

    Yes, I have seen those but actually I haven’t noticed ones that don’t work…but maybe just because I didn’t pay attention?

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      I guess it depends which side you press ; )

      Liked by 1 person

      • sadnesstheory
        July 15, 2014

        I will surely pay more attention to it!

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 15, 2014

        That’s good. Helps to know that weird posts I write about toilets make a difference!

        Like

  7. ladyofthecakes
    July 9, 2014

    Really?? I don’t think I’ve come across a toilet where it didn’t work… maybe it’s all that excess water you’ve got there in the Netherlands, it’s got to go somewhere!

    On a more serious note, using drinking water to flush the toilet, as we do, is kind of criminal 😦

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      Often in big buildings where they may have been retro fitted they often don’t seem to work. The less water option normally.

      Like

  8. Rambling Woods
    July 9, 2014

    I had never heard of it..of course here in the states

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      Well I’m curious now. Both my American friends here haven’t seen this before. That makes me nervous. Does that mean the US doesn’t have them or am I jumping to conclusions. I had thought of taking photos of lots of different versions for clarity but assumed it was a familiar object.

      Like

  9. rabthepict
    July 9, 2014

    We use rainwater 😉

    Like

  10. silverbells2012
    July 9, 2014

    I know this one very well – there simply doesn’t seem to be any point in trying 😦

    On the other hand, I saw a fab idea in Japan: when you flush, the water to refill the cistern comes from a tap at the top of the toilet, so the water you use to wash your hands is used for the next flush. I wonder how long it will be before I can get such a toilet here?

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 9, 2014

      I’ve seen those on tree hugger. Seems so logical to do that.

      Like

    • AnnetteM
      July 13, 2014

      Yes but you still have to touch the door handle on your way out of the cubicle. Fine if everyone washes their hands. It is a great idea though for use in the home. Also most toilets in Japanese hotels are incredible all singing, all dancing electronic things that have one electric button for flushing, another for intimate washing front or back, another for drying and often another one for playing music too! Talk about one extreme to another.

      Like

      • silverbells2012
        July 13, 2014

        I only saw the toilets with tap for handwashing in people’s homes.

        My hotel toilet wasn’t quite so flash lol. And there were plenty of places with squat toilets as well.

        Thinking of squat toilets, in China there were places which had no running water or in any case no loo attached to water. So they weren’t even being specifically ecologically minded with their ‘composting’ toilet!

        Like

      • AnnetteM
        July 13, 2014

        Yes – isn’t it strange how in Japanese public toilets you often get a choice of western style toilets and squat toilets. There must be lots of people who prefer the latter – well they are so good a squatting out there that they must find them easy to use. I don’t!!!

        Like

      • silverbells2012
        July 13, 2014

        I think I’ve spent to many years in Asia…

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        Being in other countries does have an impact on awareness.

        Like

      • silverbells2012
        July 13, 2014

        And hopefully reduces cultural imperialism 🙂

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        Very true ; )

        Like

      • AnnetteM
        July 13, 2014

        It’s my knees that is the problem!

        Like

      • silverbells2012
        July 13, 2014

        Yes, I can see that causing problems.

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        : )

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        I think in many cultures, sitting on something that takes human waste is not simply a luxury but also not considered very hygienic. The human bowel is also designed to evacuate more easily in a squat position. I’m not sure it’s just preference.

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        Exactly. There’s a lot of writing about human rights and having access to toilets particularly in places where people leaving their homes at night for sanitary reasons are vulnerable.

        Like

      • silverbells2012
        July 13, 2014

        Well, yes!

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        : )

        Like

  11. jemills56
    July 9, 2014

    Someone I know has just installed a new loo (UK) and opted for the dual flush….disappointed to find it merrily ‘drips’.constantly…apparently a design fault as he has replaced the unit and the problem still exists and is down rated on the company website :/

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 10, 2014

      That’s terrible! It’s disappointing when things don’t work particularly when you’re trying to innovate.

      Like

  12. They are pretty standard in Australia, but we’ve just moved to an old flat and it doesn’t have one! I thought they were everywhere here! Most people get it and use the half button. If you don’t have the dual flush you can put a brick in the cistern and reduce water use that way. But you probably don’t want to be carrying bricks round with you and putting them in other people’s cisterns!

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 12, 2014

      Now that’s an idea! You can also submerge a full bottle or milk type container. It could be more portable ; )

      Like

  13. AnnetteM
    July 13, 2014

    I think dual flush is pretty standard now on new toilets in the UK and I have never seen one that doesn’t work.

    Like

    • lizard100
      July 13, 2014

      I think it’s retro fitted ones in stores and companies that seem less reliable. I guess it requires dividing the plumbing in some way.

      Like

      • AnnetteM
        July 13, 2014

        I would think it was inside the cistern that worked differently depending on which button you press so maybe they kept the old cistern and just replaced the flusher or it’s possible that one side broke because it was used more than the other. Can you believe I am spending so long talking about toilets this Sunday morning? I was going to say I am off to the garden, but it has just started absolutely pouring – how ironic is that!

        Like

      • lizard100
        July 13, 2014

        Very curious. But it seems that the short flush side is the one that seems not to work commonly v

        Like

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