nonflushable

Nonflushable is an adjective used to describe items and materials that should not be disposed of by flushing them down a toilet or into a municipal wastewater system. Such items can hinder sewage networks, reduce the efficiency of wastewater treatment, and cause blockages, backups, and environmental harm when they are flushed.

Common nonflushable items include paper towels, wet wipes, cotton swabs with plastic stems, diapers, sanitary products, tampons, cat litter, dental floss, cooking grease, and plastics. Some products marketed as flushable—particularly wipes and certain cleaning items—are widely reported to resist rapid disintegration, leading to accumulation in pipes, pumps, and sewer systems and increasing the risk of clogs and sewer overflows.

Regulatory and labeling frameworks around flushability vary by country and locality. In many jurisdictions, authorities advise disposing of only human waste and toilet paper via flushing, and they scrutinize claims that products are flushable. Studies and municipal guidelines have shown that a notable portion of so-called flushable products do not break down quickly enough in typical sewer systems, contributing to maintenance challenges.

Disposal guidance emphasizes trash disposal rather than flushing. Wipes, sanitary products, diapers, and cat litter should be placed in the trash; medications should be returned through take-back programs or proper disposal channels; cooking grease should be solidified and discarded in the trash; batteries and other hazardous materials require designated recycling or disposal streams. Raising awareness about nonflushable items helps reduce blockages, sewer system damage, and environmental impact.