A Guide to What You Can and Can't Put Down the Toilet

Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash

Imagine life without a toilet.

Pretty bad, right? These unsung heroes save the day with every flush. But these heroes are often overlooked and it's crucial to be mindful of what we dispose of in them. Flushing the wrong items can clog pipes in our homes and sewer systems, and contribute to water pollution when combined sewer systems overflow. With the increase of new items in our daily lives since 2020, let's delve into what is flushable and what isn't.

Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash

Can you flush face masks?

No! Flushing masks is not healthy for sewer systems and ecosystems. Dispose of them in the garbage.

Can I flush rubber gloves?

No! Hand your rubber gloves over to the garbage when you’re done with them. You don’t want them gripping the sides of your pipes and clogging your toilet or ending up in a sea turtle’s stomach.

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

Can I flush tissues and paper towels?

No! Tissues and paper towels are chemically treated so they do not break down in sewer systems like toilet paper does. Tissues cause issues when they build up in the drains. Throw them out in the garbage.

Can I flush disinfectant wipes?

No! Wipes (even ‘flushable’ ones) can clog sewers. The wipes will eventually disintegrate into smaller and smaller pieces, but they never truly disappear. Their synthetic fibres (like rayon or viscose) accumulate in our waterbodies. Wipe away ocean pollution along with germs by putting your wipes in the garbage.

What else won’t flush?

All types of wipes, such as:

• Baby wipes

• Makeup wipes

• Flushable wipes

• Cotton swabs and cotton pads

Photo by Natracare on Unsplash

And also:

• Dental floss

• Bandaids

• Condoms

• Contact lenses

• Cigarettes

• Diapers

• Hair

• Cat litter

Feminine hygiene products, such as:

• Pads

• Tampons and applicators

• Diva cups

Medications, such as:

• Prescription drugs

• Birth control

• Painkillers

Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash

So, what can you flush down the toilet?

The simple answer is that toilets are for human waste and toilet paper– that’s it. There’s a simple rule we always abide by that helps make it easy. Introducing: The 3 P’s: Pee, Poo, & Toilet Paper.

The 3 P’s also extend to puke and period blood. Nothing else should go down the toilet!

If you’re flushing anything other than the 3 P’s” down your pipes, you can clog sewer systems and contaminate our environment and water bodies. 

Remember your “3 P’s” and when in doubt, throw it out.