You may have heard that you shouldn’t flush toilet paper in the toilet, but you may be confused about why. After all, it’s just a big old bowl with water and some sort of magical flushing device on top. It can handle TP, right?
If you’re thinking about going to visit Suriname and Paramaribo and wondering if you can flush toilet paper in the restrooms there or not, then this article is for you. Keep reading to find out!
What Is the Big Deal with Flushing Toilet Paper?
Toilet paper is generally made of either paper or a combination of paper and cardboard. Toilet paper is specifically designed to wipe away solid waste and clean your delicate areas. Toilet paper dissolves in water and can often be flushed.
This requires an advanced system of drains and wastewater processing facilities though. These wastewater processing facilities make sure that the dirty water doesn’t get into the local rivers as this can cause a lot of problems.
If these facilities have to process toilet paper as well, they have to be more advanced and this requires a big investment.
Not every country or city has this system. This might be because the country is quite large or because they decided to invest the funds somewhere else.
This is why you might see a warning sign above toilets in Suriname and Paramaribo you are not allowed to flush toilet paper.
You should dispose of the toilet paper in a bin. This bin is regularly cleaned. The dirty toilet paper is thrown away with the trash. It can take some getting used to at first but it is important that you do this as it can cause a lot of problems if you don’t.
In some areas of the world, the width of the drains is not big enough and toilet paper would clog them. Wastewater would back up and make the toilet overflow. This can result in wastewater all over the house as the main sewer line can get clogged.
It is also possible that their septic system can’t handle toilet paper.
Next to bad smells, it also results in a dirty house. When those pieces of toilet paper break down, they create a very thick, sludgy substance that winds up jamming your household pipes and the local sewage systems. When these materials enter the sewer system, they cause major problems.
In some instances, it can be removed by flushing a lot but this is not always the case. A plumber will have to come out to clear the drains with a water jetter or an auger.
This costs quite a lot of money. If there is a big clog, it might be needed to dig up the drain and open it up. This is a lot of work and can result in a big expense. This is why restaurants and hotels in Suriname and Paramaribo warn you that it isn’t allowed to flush toilet paper. You might get in trouble if they catch you doing it anyway.
Can You Flush Toilet Paper in Suriname and Paramaribo?
The short answer is “no”. Flushing toilet paper is actually not allowed in pretty much every public restroom in Suriname and Paramaribo.
You should dispose of the toilet paper in a bucket this is standing next to the toilet. In some hotels, you can flush the toilet paper but always ask before doing this!
So, when you go to the restroom in a public place and see signs that say “no flushing toilet paper” or “no TP flush”, you should listen and don’t do it.
You might think that “no flush” just means that you can’t flush toilet paper, but you can’t flush anything down the toilet. That includes items such as sanitary napkins, wet wipes, paper towels, and so on. These items can’t be flushed in any country though as they don’t break down and can cause clogs.
Plumbers often get called out to remove clogs that have been caused by wet wipes. It can be indicated on the packaging that you can flush them but most plumbers advise against it. They dissolve too slowly and cause a lot of problems. Especially if you have a septic system, you should be careful with this.
Do they use Toilet Paper in Suriname and Paramaribo?
Yes, they use toilet paper in Suriname and Paramaribo. You should find it in every toilet stall. You can ask for more if it has run out.
It is the same quality that you are used to at home so you will have a similar experience. Just throw the used toilet paper in the bin instead of the toilet bowl.
When it comes to public restrooms, you should always follow the rules that are posted. In the restrooms in Suriname and Paramaribo, you shouldn’t flush toilet paper.
Suriname is located in Central America. It can be a surprise that they speak Dutch there. You will find a lot of people from The Netherlands while you are there. If you visit this country, you can ask where the toilet is by saying the following: “Waar is het toilet?”.
They have a lot of types of food that you can try. From Indian to Chinese. If you have to go to the toilet afterward, it is important to remember that you have to place the toilet paper in a bin next to the toilet. Don’t flush it as this can block the drains!
If you want to spot beach turtles, you are in luck as it is possible to see a lot of them in this location. They have great beaches that allow you to enjoy the sun and swim.
They also have great lakes that you can discover. All of this gives something for everything and Suriname is a wonderful place to visit.
From there, you can visit a lot of islands. There you can see a lot of local animals.
Enjoy your trip to this magnificent country!
