CWWA Supports International water industry position statement on non-flushable and ‘flushable’ labelled products
CWWA along with international partners have issued a statement on flushability and flushable products.The statement outlines what should be flushed, and asks for clear and concise labelling on all non-flushable products.
The statement reads:
To prevent problems with sewers, pipe and toilet blockages plus the human and environmental cost of sewer flooding and pollution, the organisations signing this statement below agree that:
- Only the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and toilet Paper – should be flushed.
- Currently, all wipes and personal hygiene products should be clearly marked as "Do Not Flush" and be disposed of in the bin or trashcan.
- Wipes labelled "Flushable" based on passing a manufacturers’ trade association guidance document should be labelled "Do Not Flush" until there is a standard agreed by the water and wastewater industry.
- Manufacturers of wipes and personal hygiene products should give consumers clear and unambiguous information about appropriate disposal methods.
- Looking to the future, new innovations in materials might make it possible for certain products to be flushed, if they pass a technical standard which has been developed and agreed by the water and wastewater industry*. Preferably this standard would be developed under the banner of the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
- Key requirements for any standard include that the product:
- breaks into small pieces quickly;
- must not be buoyant;
- does not contain plastic or regenerated cellulose and only contains materials which will readily degrade in a range of natural environments.
The statement is available from our website, along with a complete list of signing partners.
Canadian Water and Wastewater Association