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

[WiseToTheLies]

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.

[mmchocolate]

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.

[sianihedgehog]

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.

[64PooLane]

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

[64PooLane]

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

[WiseToTheLies]

Slogan: Don't make your shit my problem.

This is brilliant!

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

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

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.

[GreenMarkerPen]

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

[Signoritawhocansway]

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!

[OptimisticSix]

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!

[treaclesoda]

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

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

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.

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

Do it.

"Do in" is just taking it too far.

[mummytime]

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).

[WellErrr]

I bought some 'flushable' toilet wipes for my toddler after he was potty trained.

I have a septic tank and the fucker blocked in epic style thanks to the Actually Non Flushable Wipes. I wanted to send them the bill. Bastards.

[chibsortig]

It should be made clear on the packaging that they are not flushable. Reading the packaging of toilet training wipes it says no more than two to be flushed at once. I nappy sack them and bin them. Our sewerage pipes wouldnt cope with flushable wipes they block easily enough as it is.
There should be a campaign against them. Use them bag them bin them.
Too many people think that once something is flushed its just gone.

[BlueThursday]

I'm not sure those who do flush these things will stop even if wording is changed.

Take tampons for example, the packaging does state not to flush but from threads here it's a revelation to some that they shouldn't be

[BeckerLleytonNever]

I have to use flushables- the asda ones approved by Mumsnet!!!! .

I have to use quite a few to clean my teenage DC who is disabled and canot manage herself.

In our last place they used to clog up the drains (in my garden) and HA told me Id be fined if this kept happening so I had to buy nappy sacks to get rid of them.

In current place AFAIK they seem okay, people will block drains with pads and nappies and things, so if a product says flushable they should BE flushable.

[quasibex]

I think MN should support a campaign highlighting how bad for our sewer systems (and subsequently our water bills) flushing anything other than bodily waste and degradable toilet paper is.

If it doesn't break when wet, it can't possibly be safely flushed.

[EmpressOfTheSevenOceans]

I'd be behind it too. I helped on a Thames cleanup earlier this year & saw the kind of crap that ends up in there because people think it's "flushable".

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I think MN should support a campaign highlighting how bad for our sewer systems (and subsequently our water bills) flushing anything other than bodily waste and degradable toilet paper is

This^ I fully support a campaign, but I think it may be better to campaign on the basis of only flush urine, faeces and standard toilet paper.

It's not just flushable wipes and moist toilet paper, numerous threads on here have shown that many MNers are woefully ignorant of the fact you shouldn't flush tampons...

[TaurielTest]

I'd support such a campaign, and agree that MN should get involved. Broadening it to cover not flushing e.g. tampons makes sense too.

[pigsDOfly]

Nothing except the what comes out of a persons body or toilet paper should go down the loo. Even things like tissue (ones used for noses) shouldn't be flushed.

Very good idea to make manufactures tell the truth and say on their packets that these things aren't flushable.

[cozietoesie]

Anything that gives this issue more prominence is good with me. They're taking a dreadful toll of the sewage system and their use seems to be increasing.

[FrozenAteMyDaughter]

Well, having had to call a plumber out to deal with this exact problem, having taken the "flushable" promise far too literally, I would be in favour of getting behind this issue.