But aren’t they flushable?
Ironically, the very quality that makes wipes so attractive from a use standpoint is what causes problems in a sewer system – their ability to hold together when wet . Toilet paper is designed to biodegrade in water, but wipes are specifically designed to hold together.
Many wipes and similar products are labeled as “flushable.” While they may be flushable, they are not biodegradable. Wipes should be disposed of in a trash can.
The Macomb County Office of Public Works, in conjunction with your local municipal department of public works and the Great Lakes Water Authority, uses a variety of screens and filters on our systems. This is an attempt to limit the damage these wipes can cause. Of course, no screening system is as good as catching the problem at the source. We need to eliminate the wipes from entering the system in the first place. Use the wipes – just be sure that they end up in the trash after use.
