Flushing Wipes Clogs Pipes.
Flushing wipes and other products can clog your home plumbing, causing sewage backups into your home and expensive repairs to unclog your pipes.
Flushing these products can also harm sewer and wastewater treatment systems, clogging equipment and leading to environmental damage and higher sewer rates.
Protect your pipes! Never flush wipes, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, cotton swabs, or anything other than the 3 Ps: Pee, Poop, & Toilet Paper.
Keep Drugs Out of the Water
Unused or expired prescription medications should not be flushed! Help keep drugs out of the sewer system and the environment by disposing of them properly. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors National Take Back Days for collection of prescription medicines, and many pharmacies offer drug take-back programs. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has additional resources for safe drug disposal.
National Take-Back DayResources for Safe Drug Disposal
Join Us!
Take the 3 P Pledge.
Protect your pipes and the environment. Pledge to only flush the 3 P’s: Pee, Poop, & Toilet Paper.
Take the PledgeSpread the Word
Post, print and share!
Fill out the form below to recieve the logo files for use.
There are no restrictions for using the logo, as long as it is for educational purposes about what to flush, what not to flush, or other general information about the sewer system and wastewater treatment. You are welcome to edit the logo for use by your utility as long as any changes are in keeping with the spirit of the Toilets Are Not Trashcans message. If you make edits to the logo, please share with NACWA so we can add it to our resource library.
Resources
Spread the word and advocate for change to keep wipes out of pipes.
Education
Materials to educate yourself and others about what happens when items other than the 3 Ps are flushed.
VIEWUtilities
Public education ideas and materials, including downloadable templates, and information from other utilities.
VIEWLegislation
Take action to achieve better regulation of wipes using our model legislation and issue summaries.
VIEWWhat is a Fatberg?
Fatbergs
Fatbergs form when FOG (fats, oils, and greases) combine with wipes and other flushed products to form masses in sewer lines. These fatbergs cause sewer overflows, endangering public health and the environment, and they are expensive to remove. Fight fatbergs by disposing of FOG in the trash – not down the drain – and only flushing the 3 Ps: pee, poop, and toilet paper.
Famous FatbergsFamous Fatbergs
The first famous fatberg was in London in 2013, but fatbergs and wipe clogs happen everywhere!
See the pictures below of what happens when FOG and wipes end up in sewers.
See More Fatbergs!