Why Flushable Wipes aren’t Flushable and other Lies about Waste that are Plain Wrong
As it turns out, flushable wipes aren’t that flushable and make for a waste hazard. According to a recent study completed by Toronto’s own Ryerson University, they did not find a single flushable wipes brand which met the specifications for what is permitted to be flushed down the toilet. Just like hair clumps, floss, and tampons, flushable wires are no different. These ‘flushable’ standards are written by the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG).
When items like flushable wipes are flushed down the toilet, they cause problems in wastewater systems. They can damage pumping equipment and clog sewers, resulting in increased cost and decreased efficiency. For Toronto waste management systems, this is not what we want. In the aforementioned Ryerson University study, they found ‘flushable wipes’ remained intact after 30 minutes submerged in water which suggests they are a clog risk. Although products like these are flushable in the sense that they can traverse down the toilet, they’re still a clog risk further down the line because they are not capable of breaking down.
This isn’t the only thing that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet either. Pharmaceutical medications can also be rather dangerous and is arguably the most hazardous unflushable material there is. Believe it or not, medications have blocked water pipes in the past, have damaged equipment, and can leak toxic chemicals. If you have pharmaceutical medications which need to be thrown out, you can do so at your local pharmacy who can dispose of them through the province’s medication return program.
There are waste and recycling products which do not go down the toilet, including oil, kitten litter, tissues, floss, cotton swabs, diapers, bandages, paper towels, and more. Some of these are obvious while others aren’t. What goes down the toilet is in actuality a very small list. Anything outside of the list may not flush and could lead to serious expenses either on your behalf or your municipal services’. Wipes do not break down and disintegrate like toilet paper which is where they fail the flushable test. Flush down toilet paper and within minutes, it has broken apart and can be processed.
When something’s been flushed, it reaches the pump station generally within a few minutes. Should it get stuck on a rough patch, caught on a rotating mechanism, or caught in a screen somewhere along the way, that’s a problem. Backups and overflows can happen rather quickly. $1,000s every year in Toronto are spent on eliminating clogs. Crews must be sent out to clean the debris. Then, the strain and use this puts on the infrastructure speeds up its replacement time. Overflows can sometimes lead to fines as well, if it’s not handled appropriately.
If you’re unsure about whether a material is flushable or not, toss it in the garbage – not the toilet. Irrelevant of what flushable wipes may claim to be or what the packaging may say, they don’t break apart in water within an appropriate time frame and for this reason, they aren’t even remotely flushable. Though we would never say stop using them for consumers who love them, they’re meant for the trashcan and not the drainpipe.
If you’re a household or commercial business seeking assistance with your waste and recycling, Core Mini Bins can help. Speak with a representative today and let’s continue the work to make Toronto a more healthy, greener place.
