SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
In a report based on testing of 101 single-use wipes, 23 of which were labeled as 'flushable', not a single wipe successfully dispersed or fell apart in the sewer system test.
Testing was performed by the Ryerson's Flushability Lab.
Products which fail the test can clog or degrade household pipes and city sewer systems.
"This research confirms conclusively what those of us in the industry already knew. That single-use wipes, including cleansing and diaper wipes, cannot be safely flushed, even those labelled as 'flushable,'" said report lead Barry Orr, masters student in Environmental Applied Science and Management, and a 25-year veteran Sewer Outreach and Control Inspector with the City of London in Ontario, Canada.
Testing on each wipe was performed by simulating a typical residence's plumbing from toilet to sewer including typical bends and slope, water pressure, and urban infrastructure.
the Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group has estimated that $250 million is spent annually across Canada for operations and maintenance related to the removal of blockages from equipment, due to the flushing of wipes and other non-flushable materials. Many of these wipes also contain synthetic fibres, including plastics, which can make their way into waterways, harming water systems and wildlife.
Orr called for a standard legislated industry-wide definition for the term 'flushable' so that consumers could be informed and make appropriate decisions for their health and to avoid various harms being caused by the term's misleading use today.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 11 2019, @12:28PM (4 children)
Toilet paper is designed to very quickly fall apart when wet. Other tissues and paper will not. Yes, eventually it will but if it doesn't do it quickly it has potential to create a clog. Flushable wipes are not flushable.
If it's not human waste or actual toilet paper do not flush it. Also, try to throw away or compost food debris rather than run it down a drain or use a food diposal, and never ever pour grease down the drain.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday April 11 2019, @02:41PM (3 children)
Bzzzzt.
You obviously have not been a victim of the US Public Education system. In public schools, toilet paper is waxed. Making it almost completely unsuitable for its intended porpoise.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 11 2019, @03:05PM (1 child)
What state were you in? In my upstate NY schools the tp was "normal", same as we bought at home except very thin and cheap. This was '60s and early '70s.
Now, in England, I've seen waxed tp, very slippery. The type I saw was on an oval roll and was perforated/partially split into sheets after the roll was wound, so the first pieces off the roll were longer than the last pieces.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday April 11 2019, @03:10PM
At the time, it was in the North Western part of KS.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Thursday April 11 2019, @10:17PM
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves