No more flushing bathroom wipes down the toilet, Public Act 43 of 2024 has banned the labeling of bathroom wipes as “flushable” unless they pass stringent requirements in Michigan, aiming to tackle sewage system clogs.
The law, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on May 22nd, mandates that packaging must include the phrase “Do Not Flush” and a symbol to deter improper disposal. This applies to any premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes containing petrochemical fibers with significant potential to be used in bathrooms. Violators of the law can face fines.
Michigan public works operators have long argued that wipes marketed as “flushable” cause major problems in wastewater treatment systems, as they do not break down like toilet paper. The wipes often clog screens and pumps, leading to sewage backups and the formation of “fatbergs”—masses of wipes, fats, oils, grease, and other solids.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
