Why Flushable Wipes Don’t Belong in the Sewer: Protecting Pipes, Pumps, and the Planet

In recent years, sewer systems across the country have faced an increasing and costly challenge: baby/flushable wipes. Though they may look harmless and are often labeled as “flushable,” baby wipes are one of the leading culprits in sewer blockages, equipment damage, and environmental harm.

Here’s why it’s so important not to flush baby wipes—and what you can do instead. The Big Myth: “Flushable” Wipes

Many wipes on the market today are advertised as “flushable,” but this label is misleading. While these wipes may disappear down the toilet, they don’t break down like toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to dissolve quickly in water, while wipes—made of synthetic fibers like polyester or polypropylene—remain intact long after they’re flushed.

In sewer systems, these wipes bind with fats, oils, grease, and other debris to form massive clogs, often referred to as fatbergs. These blockages can damage pumps, clog pipes, and even cause raw sewage to back up into homes, businesses, and streets.

What You Can Do

• Use trash cans in every bathroom for easy wipe disposal.
• Spread the word to family members, guests, and neighbors.
• Support clear labeling laws that prevent companies from falsely advertising wipes as flushable.

Shared Responsibility

Sewer systems are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, nothing more. Keeping wipes out of our pipes is a shared responsibility that protects public health, prevents environmental damage, and saves communities time and money.

When in doubt, throw it out. Your pipes—and your wallet $$$$$$$—will thank you.