A pair of unusual new mascots have appeared in a Canadian city:
Pee and Poo.
The scatological pair have been adopted by Metro Vancouver – the district that includes British Columbia's biggest city – as part of its Unflushables campaign, which aims to discourage citizens from blocking the sewer system.
According to their Facebook page, Metro Vancouver is:
"Metro Vancouver is a federation of 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans for and delivers regional-scale services. Its core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment and solid waste management."
"Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system and provides affordable housing. The regional district is governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from each local authority."
Watch their introduction video here:
Larina Lopez, division manager of corporate communications at Metro Vancouver, said:
“The only things meant to be flushed are pee, poo and toilet paper."
The campaign is trying to raise awareness of seven products in particular that should not be flushed down the toilet as they can cause blockages: wipes, dental floss, hair, tampons, condoms, medications and paper towels.
Helping get that message across at Waterfront Station in Vancouver were Pee and Poo, who offered advice and free toilet paper.
Richard Stewart, chair of Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Committee, said:
“We really as consumers have to understand that what gets flushed doesn't just disappear, it goes down and has to be dealt with."
He added:
“We want people to only flush the pee and the poo because there's a whole bunch of stuff that gets flushed down the toilet that doesn't belong there."
The video left some residents desperate to see more of the cuddly oversized human waste products.
One commented:
“PLEASE let us know if Poo and Pee are making any more public appearances. I need a picture with these two more than I've ever needed anything else in my life!!"
People commented on their Twitter post with more information and a few suggestions.
The campaign is certainly drawing attention to Metro Vancouver. But whether or not people heed the message behind the new mascots remains to be seen.