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

moving I posted upthread how my DPs restaurant with ancient pipework had problems with 'luxurious' toilet roll causing blockages (after the second blockage in months it was investigated by camera) changing to still decent (not value) we never got another blockage...
I use recycled paper kitchen roll (and loo roll) - the kitchen roll I have now is quite thick (bought in bulk as I was struggling to get any anywhere mainstream so I won't be buying any more for years!). I don't think it would break down as easily but I have bought value kitchen roll in the past (as it was recycled -as was value loo roll but then wasn't but sometimes is) and that was thinner than my current loo roll...definitely thinner than most luxury toilet rolls....
(I fell out with Nouvelle - after they had a special offer 9 loo rolls for the price of 6 or something. The middle of the rolls were huge - so less usable paper, probably the same as 6 rolls. More packaging, more waste paper (middles), more to transport - not very environmentally friendly!)

I don't use wipes for anything - I hate them.

I've just been having a quick look at a variety of wipes from on-line supermarkets - all with real 'natural' sounding titles and pretty names/pictures on the (plastic) packets. They divided broadly into two categories: a few 'do not flush down the toilet' ones (in the small print) and the rest, who simply didn't mention the issue. (Oh - there was one that said 'Dispose of wipe' but didn't say how, so I've mentally lumped that in with the second group.)

I wonder where they're all going?

Oops I see you've already suggested testing. Let us know how you get on

How do we know? Well here's a thought. We could ask those who work in the sewers how much toilet roll is blocking up the sewers? Clue, the answer is none.

Or you could check it for yourself with a simple experiment. Place a piece of toilet paper in a bowl of water at bedtime and then look at it again in the morning. For extra fun do some more bowls of water and add different things: "flushable" wipe, thick loo paper, kitchen paper, goldfish or whatever.

Then see what happens.

That sounds positive, Fish.

I'm not saying you should flush kitchen roll ...I'm saying that I don't think some loo roll will break down particularly readily.
If the manufacturers can stick 'flushable' on wipes what are the rules on the flushability of loo roll? How do we know thick loo roll is actually flushable? If that makes sense...

You're not supposed to use kitchen roll either!

Ffs just buy some bog roll.

I would think thin 'value' kitchen roll is more degradable than some thick luxury loo roll...
Guess you could immerse in water and see how quickly it breaks down...

Kitchen roll not flushable - why not use toilet paper - that is flushable....

It isn't. Bog roll and body waste, or use a bin.

I don't think kitchen paper is necessarily flushable, either.

I talked it over with DF and we have switched to kitchen paper as an alternative to bathroom wipes. They work just as well and are flushable.
I dont see why it wouldnt work as a flushable wipe either, especially with the gel FishWithABicycle mentioned.

So the Angel Toilet Paper Gel arrived this morning having ordered it on Wednesday and early trials are proving positive. I am happy to recommend that you give it a go if you are seeking an alternative to wipes.

You alternate first wiping with dry loo paper, then a wipe with a drop of gel (it suggests 3 layer folded), then use another bit of dry paper to wipe of any excess. If you aren't completely clean at that point you can repeat.

The result is a rear end just as fresh fragrant and poo-free as if using the not-actually flushable products I have been using before. The smell is pleasant and the feel on one's skin is fine.

6yo ds has also given this new method a go and is happy and had no problems mastering the technique.

It does seems to be quite a small company - not sure what would happen if the collective force of all mumsnetters all started to order it regularly - but it's a good product and deserves to be better known.

That's great Rowan

Thank you Rowan.

Good.

Thanks, Rowan.

Are Mumsnet to give support to the campaign then?

And the plastic 'microbeads' in shower gels and other products, which haven't been around long but have already caused water pollution. They are already banned in several US states and beginning to be phased out or replaced by natural alternatives.

I wonder if they are like sky lanterns- a product that initially seems a good idea/harmless but it's become obvious they are a menace to the built and natural environment and should be promptly banned.

Thanks both.,Those points are what I was thinking in relation to anybody worried about increasing landfill by not flushing them.

It strikes me that people should be considering whether they need to use them in the first place and only thinking about 'flushability' as a secondary thing.

Yes I expect the coarse screened stuff goes to landfill. Not very joined up thinking at this time of night. The other sludge is treated to make fertiliser or something.

Only if they get to the sewage plant - and haven't as is likely caused a blockage on the way there.

That's the whole point of all the examples of people talking about local blockages and the bigger blockages described in main sewer pipes.

My understanding from what I've read is that 'flushables' which don't disintegrate - those that don't snag and contribute to blockages, anyway - still go to landfill, just that they're screened at, and sent from, the sewage processing plants.

Can anybody clarify that one?

The thing is you could bin your paper/nonwoven nappy liner and its "contents" - that's still less to landfill than an entire paper nappy.

honestly since having a dog my tolerance of what goes in the dustbin has completely changed.