Resource Page for: An Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipes
Wipes Regulations can Save Ratepayers $, Keep Waters Clean
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Wipes clogged these sewage pumps in Springfield, MA
Springfield Water & Sewer Dept.
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Flushed wipes in a clog under Commonwealth Avenue in Boston Credit: Boston Water & Sewer Commission, Adrianna Cillo
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To be updated with new bill numbers:
Bills filed for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session that we are supporting:
- H. 805, An Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipes: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H805 and
- S. 480, An Act protecting wastewater and sewerage systems through the labeling of non-flushable wipes: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S480
Issue:
Massachusetts sewers face roughly $10 million in annual avoidable costs for clogs, fouled pumps and resulting sanitary sewer overflows. As the popularity of various wipes increases and users flush them, these costs will increase. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of wipes increased greatly, causing dangerous clogs and public health issues for sewer systems and workers.
Since the early 2000s, wipes have been aggressively marketed as a replacement for toilet paper, mops, cleaning brushes and rags. This multi-billion-dollar industry[1] has had disastrous impacts on local sewer systems.
Background: Since the early 2000s, wipes have been aggressively marketed as a replacement for toilet paper, mops, cleaning brushes and rags. This multi-billion-dollar industry[1] has had disastrous impacts on local sewer systems as clogs and fouled pumps increase.
Key Points:
This legislation targets only wipes and other products that are not flushable according to industry.
- Unlike toilet paper, wipes are not “dispersible” in normal sewer conditions
- There is lack of consistency in labeling, and some wipes product labels have no information about disposal at all. This creates consumer confusion about the proper disposal of these products.
- Wipes Contain Plastic: Nearly all baby wipes, household cleaning wipes and cosmetic wipes have a significant amount of plastic in them. Plastic fibers are engineered for strength, and these wipes don’t break down, they rope together and create massive clogs that catch other debris.
- Clogs and fouling from flushed wipes costs sewer operators in Massachusetts nearly $10 million annually.
- Wipes should be properly and clearly labeled.[3]
Action Requested:
- We respectfully ask that the Legislature pass these bills to classify wipes, using wipes-industry standards as “non-flushable.”
- We ask that those wipes that do not meet industry standards for dispersibility have prominent, mandatory “Do Not Flush” labelling, following NACWA labeling guidelines.
[1] “One report from a product development company estimated the global market for these nonwoven wipes of all kinds to be $16.6 billion in 2018, with a growth rate of 5.7 percent a year, which would push the total to nearly $22 billion by 2023” (https://undark.org/2019/12/23/flushable-wipes/)
[3] See the 2nd Edition INDA/EDANA Code of Practice: Communicating Appropriate disposal pathways for nonwoven wipes. (INDA is the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; EDANA is the European Disposables and Nonwoven Association)
[4]Model legislation is available through NACWA and the Wastewater Advisory Committee to the MWRA
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These associations and organizations support these bills
ACEC/MA, American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts
MAWEA, Massachusetts Water Environment Association
MMMA, Massachusetts Municipal Association
WAC, Wastewater Advisory Committee to the MWRA
WSCAC, Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee to the MWRA
NEWEA, New England Water Environment Association
Yankee Onsite Wastewater Association
Resource and Articles:
Eldridge-Dykema bill seeks to flush away those clogged-up pipes: https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2021/03/19/eldridge-dykema-bill-seeks-get-non-flushable-wipes-out-sewer-systems/4755841001/
House H. 805 Cosponsors as of 1/16/2023
Name District/Address
Sean Garballey 23rd Middlesex
Steven Owens 29th Middlesex
Vanna Howard 17th Middlesex
Ruth B. Balser 12th Middlesex
Brandy Fluker Oakley 12th Suffolk
David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf 17th Worcester
Rodney M. Elliott 16th Middlesex
David Allen Robertson 19th Middlesex
Tommy Vitolo15th Norfolk
Carmine Lawrence Gentile 13th Middlesex
David Paul Linsky 5th Middlesex
Senate, S. 480 Cosponsors as of 1/16/2024
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Additional Resources:
Yankee Onsite Wastewater Association https://www.yankeeonsite.org/