Did you know that public agencies throughout California are spending more than $47 million annually to repair wastewater treatment equipment and respond to sewer overflows caused by the improper flushing of wet wipes labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol? There’s work to be done to protect our nation’s sewage systems – and it starts with help from you.
Why It Matters
In California alone, 60% of residents admitted to flushing something they know they shouldn’t have.
For people to make smarter flushing choices, they need clear guidance on what to do. On Flush Smart Day (July 1) in 2022, California enacted a law to do just that. The government required manufacturers of non-flushable wipes to clearly use the “Do Not Flush” symbol on the product’s packaging. Non-flushable wipes include baby wipes, household cleaning wipes, and makeup removal wipes.
The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is here to help everyone navigate what should and should not be flushed. We are dedicated to educating everyone on how to #FlushSmart by looking for the “Do Not Flush” symbol on packaging before flushing anything down the toilet.
How You Can Help
It’s our duty to the environment and our wastewater systems to use proper labeling and drive the consumer education of #FlushSmart behaviors. Our recent campaign focused on “Toilet Crimes” being on the rise. To counteract these crimes, we encouraged people to look for the “Do Not Flush” symbol and generally, when in doubt to throw it out.
To continue the #FlushSmart education, we’ve created a variety of educational materials to reach all types of consumers where they are. Our resources are designed to inform consumers on smart flushing practices and the repercussions of not following them. Need the “Do Not Flush” symbol or want to get started with the Flush Smart Toolkit? Get all the information and start making a difference for our waterways and environment.
About Responsible Flushing Alliance
The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to consumer education focused on what not to flush. RFA’s goal is to change consumer behavior to help reduce damage to our nation’s sewage systems caused by objects and materials not designed to be flushed.
The post Do Your Part to Stop Toilet Crimes in California first appeared on FlushSmart.