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TexasTowelie

(116,493 posts)
Thu Jun 17, 2021, 11:16 PM Jun 2021

New Oregon law takes a swipe at 'flushable' wipes

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon will become the second state in the US to require that disposable wipes be labeled with "Do Not Flush," a triumph for water district officials and local governments in the state.

While many wipes are marketed as "flushable" these days, the people that deal with the end result say that these products have been wreaking havoc on sewer and wastewater systems throughout the state of Oregon.

“The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already growing problem caused by a glut of products marketed as flushable, when in fact they were clogging and damaging residential and community pipes,” said Susie Smith, director of the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies. “We are grateful to the cities, agencies and legislators who championed this common-sense requirement.”

House Bill 2344 was championed by Smith's group, the League of Oregon Cities, and the Special Districts Association of Oregon. Together, they asked that a bill be introduced due to the ongoing challenges and rising costs associated with wipes and related products that are flushed down the toilet — resulting in sewer backups, overflows, damage to pumps and wastewater equipment.

Read more: https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/New-Oregon-law-takes-a-swipe-at-flushable-wipes-574632681.html

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New Oregon law takes a swipe at 'flushable' wipes (Original Post) TexasTowelie Jun 2021 OP
I have never flushed the flushable wipes. Ka-Dinh Oy Jun 2021 #1
Neither do we. calimary Jun 2021 #7
There is no such thing as a "flushable wipe" although it's been tried... TreasonousBastard Jun 2021 #2
My apartment complex recently sent out a flyer to every apartment telling us what we can TexasTowelie Jun 2021 #3
We got those, too. But, it's usually impossible to tell who the culprits are. TreasonousBastard Jun 2021 #5
Thanks for the article! SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2021 #4
You're welcome. TexasTowelie Jun 2021 #6
Oregon towelies? Beartracks Jun 2021 #8
LOL. Yes, I envy my cousin. TexasTowelie Jun 2021 #12
At the start of COVID lockdowns when everyone went crazy about hoarding toilet paper, RockRaven Jun 2021 #9
Perhaps its time that cities to sue the manufacturer's for damages for labeling them as flushable? cstanleytech Jun 2021 #10
I tried them but after a few months... Kablooie Jun 2021 #11

Ka-Dinh Oy

(11,686 posts)
1. I have never flushed the flushable wipes.
Thu Jun 17, 2021, 11:26 PM
Jun 2021

There is just something about them that made me weary of flushing them.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
2. There is no such thing as a "flushable wipe" although it's been tried...
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 12:15 AM
Jun 2021

Most absorbent paper includes some sort of strengthener which stops it from breaking down in the toilet bowl. Even Kleenex might have some.

I used to live in an apartment complex where at least once every 6 months a sewer guy would have to be called when the pipes stopped up and apartments got flooded. It was all paper towels and wipes being flushed down.

https://www.today.com/series/one-small-thing/are-flushable-wipes-really-flushable-t151945

TexasTowelie

(116,493 posts)
3. My apartment complex recently sent out a flyer to every apartment telling us what we can
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 12:45 AM
Jun 2021

and cannot flush. Apparently there have been so many incidents that they told the tenants that we could be billed if they trace a problem to a specific apartment. The one thing that I see my brother flush are cigarette butts so I had to get on his case about that.

SleeplessinSoCal

(9,644 posts)
4. Thanks for the article!
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 12:59 AM
Jun 2021

I just sent it to my councilwoman. We just had costly problems with our own sanitation dept. Many new people with babies in our smallish complex. We all pay the price for those wipes going down the toilet.

TexasTowelie

(116,493 posts)
6. You're welcome.
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 01:16 AM
Jun 2021

My apartment complex and my apartment building is mostly older people so we don't have a huge problem, but I've lived at other complexes where it could be an issue with babies and toddlers.

TexasTowelie

(116,493 posts)
12. LOL. Yes, I envy my cousin.
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 01:59 AM
Jun 2021

He gets the dank bud for the appetizer and shrooms for the entrée since it's legal! ⚗️🍄

RockRaven

(16,170 posts)
9. At the start of COVID lockdowns when everyone went crazy about hoarding toilet paper,
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 01:49 AM
Jun 2021

our local sanitation district repeatedly sent mailers to every customer practically begging people to not flush "flushable" wipes and other such things.

Kablooie

(18,745 posts)
11. I tried them but after a few months...
Fri Jun 18, 2021, 01:57 AM
Jun 2021

Had to hire a plumber to remove a huge wad of them stuck deep in our pipes.

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