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

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We've been contacted by a major utilities company asking Mumsnet to throw its weight behind a campaign it's running on the marketing of 'flushable' wet wipes and 'moist' toilet tissue.

The organisation that's contacted us says that 80% of all sewer blockages are the result of sewer misuse, and that 70% of these blockages are the result of wet wipes. They want manufacturers to stop being able to label wipes as being 'flushable'.

They are going to write to the Advertising Standards Authority complaining that consumers are being misled by the packaging and claims on many of these products. They say consumers are encouraged to believe that these products break down harmlessly when flushed - whereas in truth, they don't break down after flushing and can end up causing blocks, leaks and flooding.

We know from previous conversations about tampons and sanpro that MNers tend to be stalwart defenders of the public sewage system, so we said we'd ask you whether this was a campaign you'd like us to swing behind.

As ever, it would be great to hear what you think.

Thanks
MNHQ

That's great Rowan

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.

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.

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

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

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

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...

You're not supposed to use kitchen roll either!

Ffs just buy some bog roll.

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...

That sounds positive, Fish.

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.

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

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?

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 realised that the use of these wipes was, sadly, increasing but I didn't realise just how widespread their use was/how many people put all sorts down toilets. I wonder how long it's going to be before landlords start to put related clauses in letting contracts as they might do for pets and smoking?

Interestingly just read this on buzz feed:

www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/flushed-away

It refers to the wiles and fat problem!

Thank you, Hold. Fascinating.

Tenant damage clauses are already there. If you stink a place out with coffin nails,you pay for cleaning, and if you don't know the difference between a toilet and a bin you also pay. Or if your cleaner doesn't know, as happened to our tenants. Who sorted it themselves and mentioned it later.

And yes, it was in the short and simple property info sheet as no
One reads leases.

Thanks, special. Out of interest, are they detailed clauses (if not inclusive) or would they just refer to 'damage caused by tenants' for example? Judging by some of the posts on this thread, there's not a lot of knowledge about the issue but if the problems grow and given the likely costs, I can imagine more and more landlords implementing penalties.

Clause depends on the agreement - but if a blocked drain is caused by the wrong stuff being flushed, it seems obvious it is damage. If the drain leaks due to age / trees etc , thats wear and tear and is the landlords cost.

I am stunned that people think that anything except body waste and bog roll is flushable. So many info sheets/ campaigns for years. And looks like HQ doesn't know either, no wipe is flushable if you don't want a blockage.

Nasty for the tenants, all caused by a clueless cleaner. Apparently it was a lot of wipes/ cloths too. Yuk.

It seems obvious to you, it seems obvious to me but - judging by many of the posts here - it's not so obvious to everybody. (And there can be big money at stake.)

I suspect that there might be some far more specific clauses in the future.

I think this is a great idea, and would be better from the only flush ppp direction. I checked my baby wipes (which I never flush) and found on the back they could be bigger.
I also agree nappy liners for cloth nappies, the ones I have say they are flushable but definitely don't break up.

'ppp' is a good slogan - I hadn't seen it in that way.

Out if interest, do nurseries and schools etc buy these for children to use?

So just had a look in some cupboards. The sanitary protection and face wipes are clearly marked bin not bog, diagrams too.

Also have most of a pack of sainsbo moist arse wipes, colonoscopy prep last year. And good god, they are indeed marked flushable.says 1 at a time with a full flush, which is even worse. It says not for septic tank, which we are on , although I would bin anyway.

I think it is time that it was illegal to suggest anything can flush except bog roll.

Yes. As I posted earlier in the thread, I had a look at some of the wipes for sale from online supermarkets. They've mostly been given real 'natural' descriptions and pictures but the disposal instructions - if they exist online - are bleak.

Some of the big supermarkets might usefully be asked to confirm their position on this issue, I think?