Flushable wipes are NOT flushable; regardless of what the label on the pack says.

“Flushable” wipes and even wetwipes are causing signifigant damage to sewage systems world wide and are becoming a HUGE environmental problem, not only overseas but right here in Australia.

Flushable wipes do not degrade after flushing. Rather, they remain intact long enough to pass through private wastewater drain pipes into the boards main sewer line causing clogs and other issues for sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants, resulting in thousands of dollars to fix.

While flushable wet wipes will disappear around the U-bend of the toilet, most then go on to join up with “fatbergs” that have to be broken down and removed manually. ultimately leading to the recovered wipes being disposed of in landfills.

Fatbergs form over time as items such as wet wipes, diapers, condoms, sanitary products and various types of greases and oils are flushed or washed down drains instead of being disposed of correctly.

Sydney Water has a major problem with wet wipes in wastewater pipes and its research has shown that one in four of the 4.6 million Sydney siders are currently contributing to the problem by flushing wipes down their toilets. Tests undertaken by Sydney Water and Choice have confirmed wet wipes, whether branded ‘flushable’ or not, do not break down as claimed and should never be flushed down the toilet.

According to Sydney Water; the only things that should be flushed down a toilet are the three Ps:

Poo
Pee
Paper

Please reconsider what you flush down the toilet, not only will you be helping the environment but also saving yourself and others a big plumbing bill and increased sewage waste management costs.

https://www.sydneywatertalk.com.au/wet-wipes

https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/about-us/our-publications/Media/accc-investigation/index.htm

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/wet-wipes-keeping-them-out-our-seas-and-sewers

Time to banish wet wipes from our sewers