Sewage Collection Study Results to be Presented at WOW
06.18.24
Analysis shows flushable wipes are not to blame for clogs
Representatives of INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and the Responsible Flushing Alliance presented the results of a sewer collection study held recently at two sites in California. Representing the largest sewage collection study to date, the studies were conducted by INDA in partnership with RFA, CASA, and selected CASA member agencies: the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) in Southern California and the Central Contra Costa Sanitation District (Central San) in Northern California in collaboration with independent engineering Kennedy-Jenks.
A total of 1,745 articles were documented across the four sampling events, marking it as the largest such collection study conducted in the United States. The results showed that flushable wipes, which have passed industry-approved testing and labeling guidelines, represented less than 1% of the items collected and, in many cases, the flushable wipes found in the sewer already showed evidence of breaking down. Meanwhile, paper products represented the lion’s share of the 1745 items collected in the study, 53%, and wipes, labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol, represented 34%. Feminine hygiene items represented 7%.
A total of 1,745 articles were documented across the four sampling events, marking it as the largest such collection study conducted in the United States. The results showed that flushable wipes, which have passed industry-approved testing and labeling guidelines, represented less than 1% of the items collected and, in many cases, the flushable wipes found in the sewer already showed evidence of breaking down. Meanwhile, paper products represented the lion’s share of the 1745 items collected in the study, 53%, and wipes, labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol, represented 34%. Feminine hygiene items represented 7%.
The two studies were conducted in October 2023. The two locations for the study include the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) in Southern California and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) in the greater San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California.
“With approximately 90% of wipes sold in the U.S. being non-flushable, it makes looking for the ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol and following disposal instructions exceptionally important,” says Responsible Flushing Alliance president Lara Wyss. “Non-flushable wipes are engineered to be different from flushable wipes. Non-flushable wipes are made with long, often plastic fibers that are meant to be strong. Flushable wipes are made with 100% plant-based fibers and are designed to break down in water, similar to toilet paper.”
The RFA is continuing consumer education efforts to help keep the toilet from being a trash can. “There is a lot of consumer confusion around what should or should not be flushed and that’s where our consumer education campaign, #FlushSmart, comes into play,” Wyss says. “We surveyed Californians about what they are flushing. The results showed that 20% mistakenly think all soft paper products can be flushed and approximately 25% think baby wipes are flushable, which is never true. Even worse, 60% self-reported they flushed something they knew they shouldn’t.”
Karen McIntyre, Editor04.04.24
As part of California’s Proper Labeling of Wet Wipes law (AB818), the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), the Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) and the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), have partnered to conduct a sewage collection study to help determine what is clogging sewer lines and equipment across the state. The agencies examined sewage waste from two locations within California and assessed their findings to determine exactly which types of materials are contributing to sewage clogs within the sites.
The results showed that flushable wipes, which have passed industry-approved testing and labeling guidelines, represented less than 1% of the items collected and, in many cases, the flushable wipes found in the sewer already showed evidence of breaking down. Meanwhile, paper products represented the lion’s share of the 1745 items collected in the study, 53%, and wipes, labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol, represented 34%. Feminine hygiene items represented 7%.
“I think as we have improved the flushability standards, we have legitimately enhanced the products to be much more dispersible and do what they are supposed to do,” says Matt O’Sickey, INDA’s director of Education & Technical Affairs. “Now, we have to continue and strengthen consumer education efforts. The labeling is there, but we have to make sure that people really do understand that one wipe does make a difference.”
In advance of the study, O’Sickey visited all of the major grocery, mass market and big box retailers in California and bought every type of wipe he could find. All but two of the samples, both bought at dollar stores and manufactured prior to the start of the wet wipes law, were properly labeled.
“People who are making current products are complying with the requirements so I was happy to see that,” he says.
The two studies were conducted in October 2023. The two locations for the study include the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) in Southern California and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) in the greater San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California.
“As a co-sponsor of the Proper Labeling of Wet Wipes law, we recognized the importance of educating Californians about not treating their toilets as a trash can,” says Adam Link, executive director of CASA. “We’ve all seen the huge rag balls pulled from clogged sewer lines, and through this study we are taking a forensic approach by untangling those products and determining what is actually being flushed. These efforts will help inform our educational outreach.”
Some of the more unusual items collected include an action figure, hair weave, pet mouse, banana peel, a knee sock, rubber bands, cloth towels and a plastic toy frog. Also observed before the collection period started were other toys, syringes, condoms and underwear.
“With approximately 90% of wipes sold in the U.S. being non-flushable, it makes looking for the ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol and following disposal instructions exceptionally important,” says Responsible Flushing Alliance president Lara Wyss. “Non-flushable wipes are engineered to be different from flushable wipes. Non-flushable wipes are made with long, often plastic fibers that are meant to be strong. Flushable wipes are made with 100% plant-based fibers and are designed to break down in water, similar to toilet paper.”
Kennedy-Jenks, an independent engineering firm, was hired to design the collection study and compile the findings in a report, which will be released during the first half of 2024. Study parameters include pulling raw sewage samples from the headworks during peak flow times.
“We also enlisted the expertise of technical leaders and material scientists from INDA member companies to lead the identifications of wipes and other items,” O’Sickey adds. “By using a magnifying glass, gently pulling at the fibers and examining them, as well as comparing them to our sample book, we are individually inspecting each item carefully.”
He adds that the few flushable wipes found had already begun the dispersing process, while most of the baby and other non-flushable wipes analyzed were still in tact. “The big issue is baby and cleaning wipes,” he adds. “Everything else is in the fringes. Even paper towels need to be in a big wad or tangled up with wipes or feminine hygiene products. One paper towel is not going to stop a pump.”
The RFA is continuing consumer education efforts to help keep the toilet from being a trash can. “There is a lot of consumer confusion around what should or should not be flushed and that’s where our consumer education campaign, #FlushSmart, comes into play,” Wyss says. “We surveyed Californians about what they are flushing. The results showed that 20% mistakenly think all soft paper products can be flushed and approximately 25% think baby wipes are flushable, which is never true. Even worse, 60% self-reported they flushed something they knew they shouldn’t.”
According to the Proper Wet Wipes Labeling law, manufacturers of non-flushable wipes, including products such as baby wipes, cleaning wipes, makeup removal wipes, and many others, that are primarily used in a bathroom setting must include the “Do Not Flush” symbol on the front of packaging. The #FlushSmart consumer education campaign promotes the “Do Not Flush” symbol and provides information on what should and should not be flushed.
The results showed that flushable wipes, which have passed industry-approved testing and labeling guidelines, represented less than 1% of the items collected and, in many cases, the flushable wipes found in the sewer already showed evidence of breaking down. Meanwhile, paper products represented the lion’s share of the 1745 items collected in the study, 53%, and wipes, labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol, represented 34%. Feminine hygiene items represented 7%.
“I think as we have improved the flushability standards, we have legitimately enhanced the products to be much more dispersible and do what they are supposed to do,” says Matt O’Sickey, INDA’s director of Education & Technical Affairs. “Now, we have to continue and strengthen consumer education efforts. The labeling is there, but we have to make sure that people really do understand that one wipe does make a difference.”
In advance of the study, O’Sickey visited all of the major grocery, mass market and big box retailers in California and bought every type of wipe he could find. All but two of the samples, both bought at dollar stores and manufactured prior to the start of the wet wipes law, were properly labeled.
“People who are making current products are complying with the requirements so I was happy to see that,” he says.
The two studies were conducted in October 2023. The two locations for the study include the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) in Southern California and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) in the greater San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California.
“As a co-sponsor of the Proper Labeling of Wet Wipes law, we recognized the importance of educating Californians about not treating their toilets as a trash can,” says Adam Link, executive director of CASA. “We’ve all seen the huge rag balls pulled from clogged sewer lines, and through this study we are taking a forensic approach by untangling those products and determining what is actually being flushed. These efforts will help inform our educational outreach.”
Some of the more unusual items collected include an action figure, hair weave, pet mouse, banana peel, a knee sock, rubber bands, cloth towels and a plastic toy frog. Also observed before the collection period started were other toys, syringes, condoms and underwear.
“With approximately 90% of wipes sold in the U.S. being non-flushable, it makes looking for the ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol and following disposal instructions exceptionally important,” says Responsible Flushing Alliance president Lara Wyss. “Non-flushable wipes are engineered to be different from flushable wipes. Non-flushable wipes are made with long, often plastic fibers that are meant to be strong. Flushable wipes are made with 100% plant-based fibers and are designed to break down in water, similar to toilet paper.”
Kennedy-Jenks, an independent engineering firm, was hired to design the collection study and compile the findings in a report, which will be released during the first half of 2024. Study parameters include pulling raw sewage samples from the headworks during peak flow times.
“We also enlisted the expertise of technical leaders and material scientists from INDA member companies to lead the identifications of wipes and other items,” O’Sickey adds. “By using a magnifying glass, gently pulling at the fibers and examining them, as well as comparing them to our sample book, we are individually inspecting each item carefully.”
He adds that the few flushable wipes found had already begun the dispersing process, while most of the baby and other non-flushable wipes analyzed were still in tact. “The big issue is baby and cleaning wipes,” he adds. “Everything else is in the fringes. Even paper towels need to be in a big wad or tangled up with wipes or feminine hygiene products. One paper towel is not going to stop a pump.”
The RFA is continuing consumer education efforts to help keep the toilet from being a trash can. “There is a lot of consumer confusion around what should or should not be flushed and that’s where our consumer education campaign, #FlushSmart, comes into play,” Wyss says. “We surveyed Californians about what they are flushing. The results showed that 20% mistakenly think all soft paper products can be flushed and approximately 25% think baby wipes are flushable, which is never true. Even worse, 60% self-reported they flushed something they knew they shouldn’t.”
According to the Proper Wet Wipes Labeling law, manufacturers of non-flushable wipes, including products such as baby wipes, cleaning wipes, makeup removal wipes, and many others, that are primarily used in a bathroom setting must include the “Do Not Flush” symbol on the front of packaging. The #FlushSmart consumer education campaign promotes the “Do Not Flush” symbol and provides information on what should and should not be flushed.