“Flushable” wipes: Myth or reality?

Driven by the desire to reduce our environmental impact, we are often tempted to trust brands that are capitalizing on the ecology craze by promoting products that are labelled “biodegradable” or “eco–friendly.” However, at a time when marketing seeks to intrude into every sphere of our lives, it is more important than ever to be vigilant about misleading green labels. One particular scourge, which affects not only Quebec but the entire planet, is no exception to this reality: wet wipes labelled as “flushable.”

Making their first appearance in 1957, these small wet wipes evolved over the decades to meet the growing and changing needs of the population. Be it for household cleaning or personal care, the design of these wipes was gradually adapted to the varied uses and preferences of consumers.¹

Originally conceived to simplify people’s daily lives, this product now causes more harm than good. The use of wipes, which has exploded in recent years, particularly due to the pandemic, is putting immense pressure on wastewater treatment facilities.² In 2021, a survey of the cities that are members of Réseau Environnement’s “Programme d’excellence des stations de récuperation des ressources en eau” (PEXStaRRE) revealed that 92% encounter wipe-related issues. Considering that these treatment plants serve more than half of Quebec’s population, the need for action is undeniably urgent.¹

In terms of their physical properties, so-called flushable wipes are more similar to non-flushable wipes than to toilet paper. Made from synthetic fibres, such as polyester, and regenerated cellulose fibres, they are resistant to the constraints they encounter and thus remain in the sewer system. Their porosity also promotes the accumulation of sand, clay, and various residues (food, cosmetics, or other), which leads to the formation of large clumps. These clumps subsequently cause blocked pipes, clogged pumps, and sewer overflows.¹

A study published in 2019 by Khan et al. at Ryerson University in Toronto highlighted this issue by exposing the falsehood behind the term “flushable” that commercial wipes are labelled with. Of the 101 products evaluated, half were sold as “flushable”. However, the study revealed that only 11 of the 101 products disintegrated completely, and of those, all were actually toilet paper.^1,3

The issues related to this matter are far from centralized. Once introduced into the network, these wipes can disrupt both the infrastructure and the ecosystem, from the initial stages of wastewater treatment to final discharge into the natural environment.

In 2021, Réseau Environnement conducted a survey of municipal wastewater treatment plants that are members of its “Programme d’excellence” (PEX-StaRRE).  From that survey, 90% of respondents said the introduction of these notorious wipes caused premature wear and tear of their equipment, 60% confirmed they had to increase preventive maintenance, and 30% revealed that these problems had led to equipment replacements.¹ In addition to causing breakage and premature wear and tear on equipment, wipes cause issues that require the increased mobilization of workers in the field to carry out repair and maintenance work. Overall, Canadian municipalities spend nearly $250 million each year to deal with the damage caused by these wipes!⁴ These are huge sums of money, tied to misinformation and bad habits, in a sector where the modernization of facilities is essential, but where investment remains significantly lacking.

Unfortunately, the consequences of these so-called “flushable” wipes are not limited to the economy. Clogged pipes increase the risk of untreated water spilling into the environment, directly affecting the welfare of the flora and fauna in the affected area.¹ In August 2021, a sanitary sewer that was completely clogged by these wipes accidentally contaminated the rivière du Nord in Saint-Jérôme. Sadly, this event is not an isolated occurrence.  A series of similar situations is steadily contributing to a gradual deterioration of our water sources while simultaneously causing the death of aquatic life.²

As this problem persists, priority must be given to investments that address root causes and put an end to this scourge of an issue.  With that in mind, one question begs to be asked: given that these wipes cause so much damage, how is it that companies are still able to label their products as “flushable“?

The explanation is relatively simple.

• Currently, INDA (the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry), the North American trade association representing the aforementioned industry, which includes wipes, has published guidelines to promote good labelling practices. However, these recommendations remain voluntary and do not always take into account the realities of wastewater treatment in Canadian cities. This explains why some wipes on the market meet industry standards without actually disintegrating.¹
• In 2023, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association published a position statement supporting the adoption of the Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) of the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG) for flushable products, and endorsing the creation of a Canadian standard to this effect.¹ However, to date, Canada still has no legislative standards defining “flushability criteria” for this type of product.^1,5 Unfortunately, the development of these types of official documents takes a long time.

These two points highlight the enormous shortcomings surrounding the issue of so-called “flushable” wipes. Until a standard that governs these products is finally implemented, it is our duty as citizens to raise awareness of this issue. Consumers must adopt more responsible behaviour, both when purchasing wipes and when disposing of them after use. Presumably, the optimal solution would be to ban disposable wipes from our daily lives. However, this is a drastic measure that is difficult to promote on a large scale. The problem must be tackled directly at its source. If consumers are to be well informed and capable of adopting the right habits, the information that is shared must be very clear and supported by fixed criteria.

The imposition of a distinctive and internationally recognized logo, which confirms that the product has indeed undergone rigorous testing to qualify it as “flushable” is the recommended approach. The IWSFG has developed an official logo that consumers will be able to easily identify on compliant products.¹

Until this logo is officially adopted on all products available in stores, the rule to remember is relatively simple: NO wipes should be flushed down the toilet!⁴

At Aquasan, we see the consequences of this blight on our customers in very concrete terms. That is why we believe it is essential to raise public awareness so individuals can fully understand the importance of adapting their behaviour as a consumer.

1. Réseau Environnement, Mémoire : L’enjeu des lingettes dites « jetables » dans les toilettes (in French only), April 2025, https://www.reseau-environnement.com/blog/memoires-1/memoire-lenjeu-des-lingettes-dites-jetables-dans-les-toilettes-92
2. Jean-Thomas Léveillé, LaPresse, Lingettes « jetables dans les toilettes » : Un « fléau » coûteux pour les municipalités (in French only), October 2021, https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2021-10-01/lingettes-jetables-dans-les-toilettes/un-fleau-couteux-pour-les-municipalites.php
3. Jonathan Jarry, Agence Science Presse, Les lingettes jetables sont jetables dans les toilettes ? Faux (in French only), Juin 2021, https://www.scientifique-en-chef.gouv.qc.ca/impact-recherche/les-lingettes-jetables-sont-jetables-dans-les-toilettes-faux/
4. Audrey Lévesque, PensezBleu.com Lingettes et toilettes : comprendre les enjeux pour mieux agir (in French only), August 2025, https://pensezbleu.com/2025/08/25/pas-de-lingettes-toilettes-comprendre-enjeux-pour-mieux-agir/
5. Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), Support and Funding for a Canadian Standard for Flushable Consumer Products, APPENDIX D, February 2024, https://cwwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-Support-for-a-National-Flushable-Standard-Appendix-D.pdf