Why Flushable Wipes Are a Problem

Simply put, flushable wipes are a problem because they are not truly flushable.

Although that might sound crazy, with “flushable” being a part of the product name, it appears to be a false label on a product that has cost homeowners, businesses and taxpayers a lot of money.

What are Flushable Wipes?

Once used almost exclusively for baby bottoms, wet wipes are now being used by individuals from birth all throughout their lives. These moist towelettes have different names for different stages of human development: baby wipes, toddler wipes, adult wipes, and then there are generic labels such as bathroom wipes, sanitary wipes, toilet wipes and wet wipes.

These products are marketed as helping people feel clean and fresh and superior to toilet paper. They claim to be hygienic, and also just as easy to use as toilet paper. These claims may be true, but when using them as directed and flushing the flushable wipes, that is where the problems begin.

Problems Caused by Flushable Wipes

Flushable wipes cause problems for individual homeowners and the problems can spread out to communities as well, just from using a simple product.

Consumers originally noticed their toilets would begin to clog after flushing the wipes. If they were lucky, a simple plunger would do the trick and they reconsidered the product’s flushability.

If they weren’t as lucky, consumers continued to flush the wipes. Eventually they needed to call in plumbers who noticed it wasn’t just a clogged toilet, but that the pipes in the plumbing system had been affected.

Plumbing repairs can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the issue and the necessity to replace damaged plumbing systems.

Soon after consumers noticed issues with the flushable wipes, public sewage systems and water treatment plants began to become impacted as well. Sewer systems became clogged and municipal wastewater treatment systems became damaged.

Companies have had to spend up to millions of dollars to fix problems caused by these seemingly innocuous products. The Department of Environmental Protection in New York City alone states that they have spent more than $18 million to remove the wipes from their wastewater treatment facility and to repair damages over the last six years.

Lawsuits Ask: Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?

Individuals, public utilities and other entities have been outraged by the damage done from flushable wipes and have filed lawsuits against the companies who claim that their wipes are flushable.

Flushable wipes class action lawsuits have also been filed by consumers; all have been filed in homes to recover money from damages as well as to get companies to stop making false claims about the usability of their products.

The FTC and wet wipes manufacturers have entered a consent agreement saying Nice-Pak will stop marketing their flushable wipes products as safe to flush. This is hopeful news for the flushable wipes lawsuits that are all currently pending across the country.

Flushable Wipes Class Action Lawsuit Information

If you experienced a clogged toilet, pipes, sewer system or septic system after using flushable wet wipes, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit to reclaim money for damages. Attorneys will assist you in determining your eligibility by reviewing your case during a free consultation.

Join a Flushable Wipes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased one of the following flushable wet wipes, you may qualify to join a free class action lawsuit investigation:

• Babyganics® flushable wipes
• Charmin Freshmates
• CVS flushable wipes
• Equate® flushable wipes by Wal-Mart
• Kandoo® flushable wipes by Pampers
• up & up® flushable wipes by Target
• Walgreens flushable wipes
• Other flushable wipe products

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