Flushable WipesFlushable Wipes

We know we have a problem.We know we have a problem.

What can we do about it?What can we do about it?

WHAT ARE PUBLIC AGENCIES DOING ABOUT THE WHAT ARE PUBLIC AGENCIES DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM?PROBLEM?

COMPLAININGCOMPLAINING

MORE LINE CLEANINGMORE LINE CLEANING

MORE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & PUMP UNCLOGGINGMORE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & PUMP UNCLOGGING

PUMP REPLACEMENTPUMP REPLACEMENT

PUBLIC OUTREACHPUBLIC OUTREACH

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK?WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK?

HOW ARE THEY AFFECTED?HOW ARE THEY AFFECTED?Plugged toilets.Plugged toilets.Clogged laterals.Clogged laterals.Interior water damage.Interior water damage.Plumbing repairs.Plumbing repairs.

ARE THEY CONCERNED?ARE THEY CONCERNED?Consumers continue buying products. Consumers continue buying products. Consumers appreciate the convenience of flushing.Consumers appreciate the convenience of flushing.Consumers love to “flush” germs rather than store them in the trashcan.Consumers love to “flush” germs rather than store them in the trashcan.Manufacturers continue trying to make everything known to man flushable.Manufacturers continue trying to make everything known to man flushable.

DO THEY EVEN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM?DO THEY EVEN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM?Probably a small percentage.Probably a small percentage. (See next slide)(See next slide)

IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WOULD THEY CARE?IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WOULD THEY CARE?Only if it is costing them money or inconvenience. Only if it is costing them money or inconvenience.

Mental Poo BlogMental Poo Blog

Flushable Wipes, My Ass!Flushable Wipes, My Ass!

Thank you, Kleenex, for my E-Coli poisoning.Thank you, Kleenex, for my E-Coli poisoning.

I was reading another blog the other day, which recounted how their basement I was reading another blog the other day, which recounted how their basement was flooded.was flooded.

Although we’ve had our share of water around my house, the closest I've ever Although we’ve had our share of water around my house, the closest I've ever come to having water in my basement was a horrific incident almost solely come to having water in my basement was a horrific incident almost solely caused by the Kleenex company.caused by the Kleenex company.

That’s right.That’s right.

Flushable Wipes are the Devil.Flushable Wipes are the Devil.

……first…a bit of background…first…a bit of background…

I have two kids. My oldest daughter is 7 years old.I have two kids. My oldest daughter is 7 years old.

About 7-1/2 years ago, we were in About 7-1/2 years ago, we were in thethe process of process of building an addition to our house. This addition included building an addition to our house. This addition included a ¾ bath. a ¾ bath.

The sewer pipes leading from this bathroom out to the The sewer pipes leading from this bathroom out to the street wind through our basement, at a height street wind through our basement, at a height approximately 5 or 6 inches above my head.approximately 5 or 6 inches above my head.

If you do the math, you’ll find that my daughter was still If you do the math, you’ll find that my daughter was still of that magical diaper age. of that magical diaper age.

Yes...it's the age of wonder where every bodily function Yes...it's the age of wonder where every bodily function ends up in a giant heap of stink smashed against their ends up in a giant heap of stink smashed against their bottoms...requiring parental intervention to mop up the bottoms...requiring parental intervention to mop up the crime scene.crime scene.

Kids, being what they are, don’t care where they crap or Kids, being what they are, don’t care where they crap or pee. Typically, they’ll do this where and when you don’t pee. Typically, they’ll do this where and when you don’t want them to, like – say – standing in line at the DMV want them to, like – say – standing in line at the DMV when you're next in line...and it now smells like the very when you're next in line...and it now smells like the very bowels of Hell have opened and YOU NEED TO CHANGE bowels of Hell have opened and YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR KID NOW!!!YOUR KID NOW!!!

When a child poops in a diaper, it is akin to discovering a When a child poops in a diaper, it is akin to discovering a body in the woods…and body in the woods…and

said body was dismembered by an army of poo-wielding chainsaw madmen.said body was dismembered by an army of poo-wielding chainsaw madmen.

There’s a hideous, horrifying stench.There’s a hideous, horrifying stench.

…and there’s a magnificent, fantastical mess.…and there’s a magnificent, fantastical mess.

To quote my previous post, "To quote my previous post, "PooPoo Marbles and Mona Lisa Marbles and Mona Lisa":":

Baby poo is disgusting. Right out of the chute, baby poo resembles tar and smells like - if I may be so bold - Armageddon. Once again, the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse - Stinky - rears his ugly Baby poo is disgusting. Right out of the chute, baby poo resembles tar and smells like - if I may be so bold - Armageddon. Once again, the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse - Stinky - rears his ugly head.head.

Cleaning up this mess is not only an effort in intestinal fortitude…but it’s also a bitch on the mellifluous odor of your house.Cleaning up this mess is not only an effort in intestinal fortitude…but it’s also a bitch on the mellifluous odor of your house.

Because, unlike toilet paper…you can’t flush a diaper.Because, unlike toilet paper…you can’t flush a diaper.

You have to find a "Diaper Genie" to store them.You have to find a "Diaper Genie" to store them.

...or throw them out......or throw them out...

...or hide them really well....or hide them really well.

But…then…we heard of the miracle of the But…then…we heard of the miracle of the Flushable WipeFlushable Wipe..

OH! Flushable Wipes!OH! Flushable Wipes!

It's a wipe!It's a wipe!

It's FLUSHABLE!It's FLUSHABLE!

Wipe the bum! Collect the poo! Flush it away!Wipe the bum! Collect the poo! Flush it away!

(Just like what Daddy does with his poo…except his is much, much larger...would take (Just like what Daddy does with his poo…except his is much, much larger...would take an entire container of wipes to clean...and (HEALTH WARNING FOR PARENTS) may an entire container of wipes to clean...and (HEALTH WARNING FOR PARENTS) may contain peanuts)contain peanuts)

Anway...so we bought the Flushable Wipes.Anway...so we bought the Flushable Wipes.

..and we used them…..and we used them…

…and we flushed them……and we flushed them…

But kids keep pooingBut kids keep pooing..

So we used more.So we used more.

…and flushed ‘em.…and flushed ‘em.

Until…one day…the Jed Clampett in me noticed that up from our new shower came Until…one day…the Jed Clampett in me noticed that up from our new shower came a’bubblin’ crude.a’bubblin’ crude.

Poo that is. Brown Gold.…and some pee.Poo that is. Brown Gold.…and some pee.

The sight of the brownish water floating in the bottom of our shower, along with the The sight of the brownish water floating in the bottom of our shower, along with the flurry of little brown canoes, tipped me off.flurry of little brown canoes, tipped me off.

We had ourselves a clog We had ourselves a clog somewhere downstream from the somewhere downstream from the

bathroom. bathroom.

We figured that the problem had to We figured that the problem had to be the very slight slope of the pipes. be the very slight slope of the pipes. However, my contractor is akin to a However, my contractor is akin to a giant, so I try to not scold him very giant, so I try to not scold him very often. often.

So we called a company who came So we called a company who came and cleared out the pipes for us and cleared out the pipes for us using a giant “Arm of Death”, and using a giant “Arm of Death”, and gas masks. This arm thing was SO gas masks. This arm thing was SO COOL - it reminded me of a movie I COOL - it reminded me of a movie I saw as a kid called "saw as a kid called "The Black HoleThe Black Hole" " (not the same movie that I have (not the same movie that I have hidden elsewhere in my house), and hidden elsewhere in my house), and the evil robot had arms JUST LIKE the evil robot had arms JUST LIKE THIS.THIS.

For a minute, I wanted to be a For a minute, I wanted to be a rooter. rooter.

Then I watched them work on poopy pipes. And the feeling left quickly.

Anyway, within an hour, the pipe was cleared.

Life went on.

And we kept wiping our daughter’s bum...

And flushing those damn wipes...And sure as you know what….we got ourselves another little brown oasis in the bottom of the shower after a while.

Sonofagun.

Now…I happened to be watching the Roto guy who came the last time. I watched him intently...so I knew (KNEW) what I had to do...

I watched him enter our basement, and check the pipes leading above my head snaking through the rooms.

He tapped on them…apparently checking that the immediate area was free and clear...

...then…

……he opened them up.he opened them up.

On the corner of one of the pipes, where it took a bend, was a On the corner of one of the pipes, where it took a bend, was a plate that would open with the turn of a wrench, allowing you to plate that would open with the turn of a wrench, allowing you to look inside.look inside.

At the time, after tapping on the pipes, he opened the plate and At the time, after tapping on the pipes, he opened the plate and could see where the clog was a little further down.could see where the clog was a little further down.

Piece of cake.Piece of cake.

I went downstairs, armed with a wrench, a bucket, and my faithful I went downstairs, armed with a wrench, a bucket, and my faithful wife beside me...ready to clear the clog.wife beside me...ready to clear the clog.

Raising the wrench to the plate just above my face, I began Raising the wrench to the plate just above my face, I began turning.turning.

…please note, at this point, that I neglected to tap on the pipe.…please note, at this point, that I neglected to tap on the pipe.

…which - unbeknownst to me - happened to be completely …which - unbeknownst to me - happened to be completely backed up with poo...and pee...and God knows what else. backed up with poo...and pee...and God knows what else.

Had I tapped on the friggin' thing...things may have turned out Had I tapped on the friggin' thing...things may have turned out differently...but...differently...but...

At about a quarter turn, the plate let go with the force of several At about a quarter turn, the plate let go with the force of several hundred gallons of sewage stopped upstream of it.hundred gallons of sewage stopped upstream of it.

This plate plunked off of my forehead, before landing on the This plate plunked off of my forehead, before landing on the ground. ground.

…leaving me staring at a four-inch wide pipe hole…which was …leaving me staring at a four-inch wide pipe hole…which was now emptying it’s contents onto my face...think, the scene now emptying it’s contents onto my face...think, the scene

hot Jennifer Beals covered in hot Jennifer Beals covered in water...you have a 5'2" guy drowning water...you have a 5'2" guy drowning in sewage.in sewage.

So...HOT.So...HOT.

And there...watching me fight off this And there...watching me fight off this torrent of poopy-caca...torrent of poopy-caca...

My wife...laughing hysterically.My wife...laughing hysterically.

Like Ernest Borgnine fighting in Like Ernest Borgnine fighting in Poseidon...I'm screaming, "GET THE Poseidon...I'm screaming, "GET THE PLUG!!! GET THE PLUG!!!"PLUG!!! GET THE PLUG!!!"

It took three tries to get that damn It took three tries to get that damn thing in.thing in.

...mainly because my wife was busy ...mainly because my wife was busy crying from laughing so hard that crying from laughing so hard that she was too busy to actually hand she was too busy to actually hand me the damn plug.me the damn plug.

Once we got things settled and got Once we got things settled and got the plumbers back, we were advised the plumbers back, we were advised of the following:of the following:

You're not supposed to flush the You're not supposed to flush the Flushable Wipes. They clog pipes.Flushable Wipes. They clog pipes.

Oh, they clog pipes, do they?Oh, they clog pipes, do they?

No sh*t.No sh*t.

You know how I know that, Mr. You know how I know that, Mr. Plumber? I know that because I Plumber? I know that because I look like this:look like this:

Flushable wipes, my ass.Flushable wipes, my ass.

Flushable wipes that aren't Flushable wipes that aren't flushable.flushable.

Consider yourself warned.Consider yourself warned.

WE KNOW WE HAVE A PROBLEMWE KNOW WE HAVE A PROBLEMSO WHAT IS THE NEXT STEPSO WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP??

MORE RESEARCHMORE RESEARCH DEVELOP PROTOCOLS FOR TESTING FLUSHABILITY OF PRODUCTSDEVELOP PROTOCOLS FOR TESTING FLUSHABILITY OF PRODUCTS DEVELOP BETTER METHODS FOR CLEARING BLOCKAGESDEVELOP BETTER METHODS FOR CLEARING BLOCKAGES DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL ROUTES FOR THESE PRODUCTSDEVELOP ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL ROUTES FOR THESE PRODUCTS EDUCATE THE PUBLICEDUCATE THE PUBLIC WORK WITH THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERSWORK WITH THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS LEGISLATION AS A LAST RESORTLEGISLATION AS A LAST RESORT

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

RESEARCHRESEARCHCurrent Research ProjectsCurrent Research ProjectsImpact on the Drainage System from Disposable ProductsImpact on the Drainage System from Disposable ProductsSustainability of Disposal Routes for Sanitary ProductsSustainability of Disposal Routes for Sanitary Products

DEVELOP TESTING PROTOCOLSDEVELOP TESTING PROTOCOLSCurrent Protocol DevelopmentCurrent Protocol DevelopmentDevelopment of a Mathematical Model for Physical Disintegration of Flushable Consumer Products in Wastewater SystemsDevelopment of a Mathematical Model for Physical Disintegration of Flushable Consumer Products in Wastewater SystemsProtocols to Assess the Breakdown of Flushable Consumer Products-WERF StudyProtocols to Assess the Breakdown of Flushable Consumer Products-WERF Study

EDUCATION/CONSUMER OUTREACHEDUCATION/CONSUMER OUTREACHTelevision CommercialsTelevision CommercialsRadio CommercialsRadio CommercialsInternet WebsitesInternet WebsitesFlyersFlyersNewspaper Articles Newspaper Articles

30 Second Television Commercial30 Second Television Commercial

60 SECOND RADIO ADVERTISEMENT60 SECOND RADIO ADVERTISEMENT

““Flushable” productsFlushable” products ““Flushable” means product goes down the toilet Flushable” means product goes down the toilet

and doesn’t clog on its way.and doesn’t clog on its way. Products can catch on rough surfaces inside iron Products can catch on rough surfaces inside iron

pipes and cause clogs. pipes and cause clogs. So-called “flushable” products may confuse people So-called “flushable” products may confuse people

into thinking all cloths, disposable or not, are into thinking all cloths, disposable or not, are “flushable.”“flushable.”

There are no truly “flushable” washcloths.There are no truly “flushable” washcloths.

Brown S, To flush or not to flush; disposable vs. basin bath?, Healthcare Purchasing News, Sept 2004.

““DispersibleDispersible” products” products

““Dispersible” means product dissolves Dispersible” means product dissolves and becomes part of water flow.and becomes part of water flow.

Toilet paper is dispersible.Toilet paper is dispersible. Sage Products’ Comfort® Personal Sage Products’ Comfort® Personal

Cleansing products are not “flushable” Cleansing products are not “flushable” or “dispersible.”or “dispersible.”

Brown S, To flush or not to flush; disposable vs. basin bath?, Healthcare Purchasing News, Sept 2004.

Proper disposalProper disposal DO NOT flush pre-moistened DO NOT flush pre-moistened

washcloths, towels, diapers, etc.washcloths, towels, diapers, etc. Flush toilet paper ONLY.Flush toilet paper ONLY. Do not dispose of non-flushable itemsDo not dispose of non-flushable items

in bedside commodes.in bedside commodes. Put non-flushable items in the trash.Put non-flushable items in the trash.

Help protect our facilityHelp protect our facility Flushing of non-flushable items can Flushing of non-flushable items can

cause cause seriousserious plumbing problems. plumbing problems. Proper disposal is critical to our facility’s Proper disposal is critical to our facility’s

operations.operations. All staff members need to work together All staff members need to work together

to encourage proper disposal.This is a to encourage proper disposal.This is a house-wide issue.house-wide issue.

Educate patients and Educate patients and staffstaff

Talk to patients and family members Talk to patients and family members about proper disposal.about proper disposal.

When using a Comfort® Personal When using a Comfort® Personal Cleansing product, remind patients and Cleansing product, remind patients and family members not to flush.family members not to flush.

Display educational materials in patient Display educational materials in patient rooms and bathrooms.rooms and bathrooms.

What are the Manufacturers Doing About This What are the Manufacturers Doing About This Problem?Problem?

Nothing. Business as usual.Nothing. Business as usual.

Some are manufacturing smaller sized wipes (they still don’t disperse). This Some are manufacturing smaller sized wipes (they still don’t disperse). This requires no new equipment or technology.requires no new equipment or technology.

Some, like Chlorox and SC Johnson, are actually developing a “new” flushable Some, like Chlorox and SC Johnson, are actually developing a “new” flushable spunlace wipe that have very low wet strength (half of a standard flushable). spunlace wipe that have very low wet strength (half of a standard flushable). These still are capable of hanging up on roots or in pumps or bar screens.These still are capable of hanging up on roots or in pumps or bar screens.

Others like Kimberly-Clark have developed an actual dispersible wipe ( the Others like Kimberly-Clark have developed an actual dispersible wipe ( the Cottonelle Rollwipe) using a reversible ionic bond for strength but which Cottonelle Rollwipe) using a reversible ionic bond for strength but which disperses in the toilet.disperses in the toilet.

Working With The Product ManufacturersWorking With The Product Manufacturers

INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry).INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry).

EDANA (International association serving the nonwovens and related industries).EDANA (International association serving the nonwovens and related industries).

In 2004 INDA formed a Flushability Task Force and embarked on a 2 year study to In 2004 INDA formed a Flushability Task Force and embarked on a 2 year study to develop standards and guidelines for assessing the flushability of products and to develop standards and guidelines for assessing the flushability of products and to develop a test method for the approach. Biggest hurdle was arriving at an agreed-to develop a test method for the approach. Biggest hurdle was arriving at an agreed-to definition of flushability.definition of flushability.

The Report entitled “WIPES-Nonwoven Industry Outlook-Trends and Forecasts for North The Report entitled “WIPES-Nonwoven Industry Outlook-Trends and Forecasts for North America 2008-2013” will be available shortly. You can order now at the ridiculously low America 2008-2013” will be available shortly. You can order now at the ridiculously low price of $3000 for non-members. No hint as what the report might say.price of $3000 for non-members. No hint as what the report might say.

Require warning labels on products, such as: “This product is NOT dispersible”. “This Require warning labels on products, such as: “This product is NOT dispersible”. “This product may cause clogs in obstructed drainlines”. “This product may clog ejector and product may cause clogs in obstructed drainlines”. “This product may clog ejector and grinder pumps”. “This product will end up on a screen in the wastewater treatment grinder pumps”. “This product will end up on a screen in the wastewater treatment plant”.plant”.

LEGISLATIONLEGISLATION

This problem is much larger than just a local or regional This problem is much larger than just a local or regional issue. It probably will require national attention to address a issue. It probably will require national attention to address a reasonable solution.reasonable solution.

National Associations such as the Water Environment National Associations such as the Water Environment Research Federation (WERF), National Association of Research Federation (WERF), National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), American Water Works Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) will have to get involved and lobby Association (AWWA) will have to get involved and lobby heavily for new legislation.heavily for new legislation.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Mental Poo Website BlogMental Poo Website Blog Water Portfolio Website WRcWater Portfolio Website WRc The Free Library by FarlexThe Free Library by Farlex The West Seattle Herald newspaperThe West Seattle Herald newspaper SAGE Products, Inc.SAGE Products, Inc.