Southern Water and the University of Chichester partner with FabLittleBag in Unique Project
Overview
A unique three-way partnership between Southern Water, the University of Chichester, and FabLittleBag set out to tackle a persistent problem: frequent blockages caused by poor period product disposal practices on campus and in student residences. This initiative combined funding, education, and innovative products to drive real change in reducing blockages, increasing sustainability and student wellbeing.
The Partners
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Southern Water: Funded the project for Years 1 & 2, supporting campus-wide roll-out of FabLittleBag dispensers, bags and student community engagement.
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University of Chichester: Faced with multiple blockages due to flushing of period products and wipes committed to promoting the use of FLB’s and binning to the student body
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FabLittleBag: Provided sustainably sourced disposal bags, dispensers and educational materials, educating students on how to use the bags, encouraging binning not flushing as the only responsible disposal option.
The Challenge
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Blockages in university facilities, caused by the flushing of tampons, pads and wipes causing costly repairs and environmental harm. Southern Water had identified the University as a hot spot of blockages in the Chichester area.
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Lack of awareness from the student body around responsible disposal of period products. Students were flushing period products not binning them.
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Reducing blockages, increasing sustainability and student wellbeing were top priorities for the University.
The Solution
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Southern Water funded and installed FabLittleBag dispensers and disposal bags across all campus and residential bathrooms to address the University as a hot spot for blockages in the local Chichester area.
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University of Chichester ran educational campaigns, and events promoting binning with Fabs among students and staff.
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FabLittleBag supplied sustainable, easy-to-use disposal bags, dispensers, collaborated on awareness materials and attended the Fresher’s Fair to promote the initiative alongside Southern Water and the University.
Student Communications
The Freshers Fair engagement with students: 
Posters in accommodation blocks for feedback and education:
Results
Unflushable blockages down by 62%. Calculated from September - December 2024 where there were 29 blockages in total, compared to September - December 2025 - where there were 11 blockages in total. (see graph below) 
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Improved student understanding of responsible disposal and sustainability.
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Enhanced student experience: greater dignity, convenience, and environmental care.
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Positive feedback from students, facilities staff, and the wider community.
These results are consistent with those from a qualitative study we conducted with Anglian Water and Mum’s net. We gave 340 women who flushed tampons and pads FabLittleBags for one month to study their behaviour.
After using FabLittleBags for a month only 1% were flushers.
Key Takeaways
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Collaboration is critical: We solved the entrenched problem and behaviour change needed together.
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Education drives change: The educational campaign was critical to give the students a reason why flushing is so bad. The environmental pollution message is a motivator for behavioural change. It was also critical to tell the students what the dispenser was for in their bathroom and how to access their free FabLittleBags to top it up.
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Sustainability matters: Students responded positively to solutions that align with their values, they care about the environment.
Testimonials:
"We're excited to have introduced FabLittleBags into the facilities on our campuses to help inform and educate our students about how to best dispose of period products."
Lucy Ferre: University of Chichester Environment and Sustainable Development Officer
“The new start of university is a great time to get into good habits, and that includes never flushing anything other than the three Ps of pee, poo and paper. We know people often flush sanitary products because they aren’t aware of how to dispose of them properly. FabLittleBags are proven to address that issue. We hope the pilot will encourage students to keep these products out of the sewer network, which will help to prevent sewer blockages, sewer flooding and pollution to our environment.”
Matt Collins: Unflushables team lead Southern Water https://www.southernwater.co.uk/latest-news/sewer-blockages-plummet-during-pilot-project/
“Educating university students to bin, not flush, is vital to instilling a lifetime of responsible disposal habits. For the University of Chichester, having FabLittleBags in cubicles and residential rooms means fewer blockages, reduced costs, and less hassle. It means that a whole cohort will leave University with good binning behaviour.
Martha Silcott: Inventor and CEO FabLittleBag