United Utilities has launched its Change the Cycle campaign.
The company estimates that 4.6 million disposable period products are flushed down toilets across the country every day, contributing to blockages and sewer flooding.
Catherine Booth, campaign manager at United Utilities, said: “We know this is a nation-wide issue and we were keen to understand more about how widespread the issue is here in the North West, as well as the reasons why some women are flushing.
“It is only by understanding why that we can hopefully encourage those who do flush to start binning instead.
“We aim to dispel the myth that period products and packaging are safe to flush.
“Many of the women taking part in the survey told us they have always flushed period products down the loo, we hope the campaign encourages them to switch to the bin.”
Research conducted by United Utilities with more than 1,700 women across the North West revealed that a quarter had recently flushed a sanitary product.
Women aged 30 to 55 were found to be the most likely to do so.
The study also showed that tampons are flushed more often than pads, and more than 90 per cent of those who flush said they had always done so.
Almost half believed the products were flushable.
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Ms Booth said: “Period products don’t break down when they are flushed, they cause blockages in pipes and drains which can lead to sewer flooding.
“Those women who flush products told us it would be helpful for them to have more information about correct disposal and the benefits of not flushing.”
The new campaign launched on Monday, September 15.