if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down

English

Etymology

Initially coined during one of the California droughts.

Phrase

if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down

1. In order to save water, only flush the toilet after defecation, not after urination.
   • 2008, Ethan Greenhart, Can I Recycle My Granny?: And Other Eco-dilemmas, →ISBN:

     Never mind 'If it's yellow, let it mellow – if it's brown, flush it down.' My motto is: 'If it's brown, spread it on the ground – if it's yellow, recycle it like a good fellow.'

   • 2009, Melissa Seligman, David Seligman, Simply Green, →ISBN, page 99:

     The first obvious difference you can make is simply to choose not to flush every time. If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.

   • 2014, Vanessa Farquharson, Sleeping Naked Is Green, →ISBN:

     Here is what I will say about the “If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down” rule: this is fine, providing you drink a lot of water.