Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I saw your article in the May 4 Olney Enterprise titled “Dude Wipes Clog Olney Sewer System.” As the president of the Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA), I’d like to thank you for putting a spotlight on this important issue of how inappropriately flushed wipes, specifically non-flushable wipes, can cause serious issues if they aren’t disposed of properly. RFA’s mission is to educate people about proper flushing practices.

However, I wanted to point out that there are two categories of wipes: non-flushable wipes and flushable wipes. These two types of wipes are fundamentally different in the way they are made and how they should be disposed.

The key difference in the way non-flushable wipes are made, and why they aren’t meant for flushing, relates to how they are formed. Non-flushable wipes use long, often synthetic (plastic) fibers and are not meant to disperse in water. Wipes like baby wipes, cleaning & disinfecting wipes, makeup removal wipes, and the like are meant to be strong and durable. Flushable wipes, on the other hand, are made of short, natural fibers that are specifically made to disperse in water similar to toilet paper.

At RFA, we educate consumers to look for the “Do Not Flush” symbol on non-flushable wipes packaging for disposal instructions. We emphasize that if you see the symbol on a wet wipe, that wipe belongs in the trash and never the toilet. Too many consumers are flushing non-flushable wipes and we want to explain why it is important to never flush those types of wipes.

Here’s a link to our website: www.flushsmart. org and I’ve attached 2 infographics as an fyi…the first is a chart that shows the differences between how the wipes are made and their composite materials; the second shows all the different types of wipes from the strongest at the top to the softest. I’m also attaching the “Do Not Flush” symbol so you can see what non-flushable wipes manufacturers are putting on their packaging.

I think the assumption that Mr. Jacoba and others make is that when they see wipes clogging sewers and creating fatbergs, they automatically assume that those are flushable wipes, which isn’t the case. Through forensic analysis of clogs in New York City, Jacksonville (FL), and London, we see that the primary culprit are non-flushable wipes, specifically baby wipes and cleaning wipes, along with paper towels, trash, feminine hygiene products, and Fats, oils & grease (FOG).

The other thing that struck me about your article is that you identify Dude Wipes as the problem. I’m not sure how you are able to show that one specific brand is causing the issue without doing a forensic analysis. Additionally, the majority of Dude Wipes are flushable wipes and are specifically made to disintegrate in water in a similar way as toilet paper. I believe the true cause of the sewer clogs in Olney are derived from residents flushing non-flushable wipes, such as baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and makeup removal wipes. Those wipes are not indented to break down in water and should always be tossed in the trash.

Again, thank you for writing about this important topic. However, I would like you to correct the article so that it is clear that the culprit is non-flushable wipes. Non-flushable wipes are not the same as flushable wipes. We work hard to educate people to look for the “Do Not Flush” symbol that is now appearing on non-flushable wipes packaging.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I’m happy to discuss our #FlushSmart campaign either by phone or email.

Best, Lara M. Wyss President, Responsible Flushable Alliance