MNHQ here: what do you think about manufacturers marketing wipes as 'flushable'?

Good idea - this is what blocked our drains, and cost us quite a bit to get fixed (never mind having an overflowing drain with 3 small children).

Do it.

"Do in" is just taking it too far.

Yy get Ray to do in and look menacing. I'm thinking less him in Sexy Beast and more him in Borstal.

Or Vinny Jones if the budget is more Z list.

I think it is really irresponsible marketing for manufacturers to brand things as flushable (unless it is toilet roll). I would welcome a campaign.

They may well be flushable but it is a terrible idea to flush them. I work in customer service that deals with things like this and most toilet blockages reported seem to be a result of flushing these, or baby wipes!

I would TOTALLY be behind this. I get the rage at seeing 'flushable' on packets. Yes, they will flush away - but then, so will lego, old socks, golf balls, keys ad infinitum. It doesn't mean they degrade or disappear, and they cause SUCH problems. Go Mumsnet, Go!

where is the petition? I would happily sign it!
we (luckily) don't need to be as drastic as some countries where you can't even flush loo paper.

same for the sink thingy that shreds veg peelings? they belong on the compost heap or garden waste bin, not the sewage system feeding the rats

Yes, just because something will flush from your toilet bowl absolutely does not mean you should. Only flushing biodegradable matter is an important educational topic and an environmental one.

I support raising awareness.

Slogan: Don't make your shit my problem.

This is brilliant!

I back the campaign and think Ray Winstone should do the voice-over.

Oh, but I've ruined my big moment by misuse of formatting.

Just realised how well my NN fits in here twirls about.

I'd definitely be behind that!! I've seen so many people say that "it must be okay as they say so on the packet". And sewer blockages are just grim.

Anything is flushable if you have a big enough flush

No it is not, it may clear your pipes but that's only the beginning of the journey, anything in large quantities will cause problems further along. Some may only flush one or two unsuitable things but think of the millions of flushes everyday, that's what leads to these sort of problems.

I had a drain collapse last year and the men who came to re-build it said that all their call outs were for nappies and wipes flushed down the toilet when they should be bagged and binned. It kept them in very nice style but they admitted that it was very bad for the drains and caused major problems quite frequently.

I'd be behind this. Seems worthwhile.

When we started toilet training the first time round we were foolish enough to believe the 'flushable' line on a packet of kids' toilet wipes, and ds went a bit mad with them one day and blocked the only loo in the flat.

I agree that something needs doing about it. I have occasionally bought flushable wipes but they're not really, are they? Otherwise you'd be able to flush more than 1 at a time. Also, working in insurance I've seen the effect of people clogging up their drains (with stuff that's clearly not flushable anyway) so anything that reinforces the message about only flushing toilet roll is worth making a point on.

I'd definitely be behind this. I live at the end of a terrace of three houses. We had raw sewage backing up in our back garden because one of our neighbours at the other end of the terrace had been using cleaning wipes and flushing them .

On another occasion it was what the drain unblocker chap delicately referred to as 'lady's things'. Having been a moon cup user for years I knew it wasn't me!

If they aren't fully flushable, they shouldn't say so. I was surprised that potty training wipes specify on the pack, only to use one per flush. So not really flushable, then.

They either need to stop selling them, mark clearly on the packs that they are not flushable, or develop some that are properly flushable.

I'm suck of seeing used pads, wipes etc on the pavement after every rainstorm - I live at the bottom of a long hill with a lot of houses on, & the drain covers pop up every time. It's disgusting.

I think those producing the wipes must be in cahoots with Dynorod or someone because there is nothing to suggest they break down immediately after flushing like loo paper does.

What really pisses me off is that the chances are it won't be the person causing the problem who has to deal with backed up toilets and sewage everywhere. It'll be some poor mug further down or everyone on the shared drain.

I back the campaign. I think if you want to feel like your bum has been licked by kittens or whatever your reasoning then you put your shitty wipe in the bin.

It doesn't even make sense for baby wipes to be flushable. You can't flush a nappy so stick it in the bag with that and put it in the bin.

Can I suggest as well as complaining to the ASA they do a rival campaign to educate those too delicate to use and dispose of their dirty wipes? Slogan: Don't make your shit my problem.

As someone that has had to clear a septic/insection tank out plenty of times I wholeheartedly support this campaign and wish it would be extended to all things that people think are flushable.

It really annoys me, as does the marketing of flushable dogpoo bags, when water company websites say not to flush them.

And tampons...

anything is flushable if you have a big enough flush

but if i saw it on a packet of wet wipes i would infer that it meant they were biodegradable

i've seen a septic tank clocked by just normal toilet paper, not anything i would advise anyone to get involved in

I think the utility companies want to let people know these items are not flushable, and Mumsnet is a good medium for that kind of information dispersal.
I dont see anything wrong with backing this kind of campaign.

Disposable nappy liners too....