Think Before You Flush

what not to flushThink Before You Flush

People sometimes view the toilet as a supplementary wastebasket – an easy place to dump all kinds of things and make them disappear with the pull of a handle. Unfortunately, many of the items that often end up in the toilet – even products labeled "flushable" or "biodegradable" – can cause significant clogging problems not only in your home or businesses wastewater plumbing, but also in the sanitary sewer system.  

There are only TWO THINGS that can be safely flushed down the toilet:

  • Human waste
  • Toilet paper

The items below should NEVER be flushed down the toilet:

Anything Plastic                                 Cotton Balls / Swabs                               Nail Clippings  
Band-Aids                                             Dental Floss                                              Paint / Sealers / Thinners
Bleach                                                    Disposable Diapers                                Paper
Cat Litter / Excrement                        Facial Tissue                                            Paper Towels
Chewing Gum                                      Feminine Hygiene Products               Pharmaceuticals
Cigarette Butts                                     Fish / Snakes / Little Critters                Poisons / Hazardous Waste
Coffee Grounds                                    Food                                                           Tissues
Condoms                                               Grease / Oil                                                Toilet Seat Covers
Cosmetics                                              Hair                                                             Wet Wipes

Flushing these items can wreak havoc on sanitary sewer systems including:

  • Clogged pumps
  • Increased overflows
  • Plugged plumbing and septic systems
  • Labor time/cost to respond
  • Failed equipment
  • Injuries to staff cleaning up non-flushable items

wipes clog pipes

Click here to learn about why wipes are bad for pipes!


For additional information: Metropolitan Council