New symbol is flushable

By Carol Saffer

A fatberg forms when wet wipes flushed down the toilet combine with congealed fats, oils and grease poured down the kitchen sink resulting in a solid mass in household plumbing and sewers.

To alleviate this massive problem Standards Australia recently released DR AS/NZS 5328 Flushable Products, a world-first flushable standard label.

Simply put, consumers can now check what they want to put into their toilet has the flushable symbol. If it doesn’t don’t flush it.

The new standard outlines the criteria for materials suitable for flushing down the toilet in Australia and New Zealand, and provides requirements to manufacturers for correct and informative labelling.

Greater Western Water (GWW) managing director, Maree Lang, said the organisation welcomed the standard and it was an important milestone to protect the environment from sewer spills.

“The standard provides guidance to manufacturers and customers to ensure they can keep the sewer system healthy,” Ms Lang said.

“The flushable standard is a win for the industry and for the environment.”

The new standard, a long time coming, is designed to protect the sewer system from blockages caused by products that can’t break down properly in the network.

To assist manufacturers with determining whether their products are flushable, the standard provides a clear set of criteria including six ’flushability’ tests to carry out on products to ensure they are safe for the sewer system.

Paul O’Donohue, managing director, Central Highlands Water said the release of the Flushable Products Standard is a significant milestone for the water industry, manufacturers, peak bodies and Central Highlands Water customers.

“The correct disposal of non-flushable will positively impact our community, and the environment, through helping avoid major blockages,” he said.

“It is important for our customers to only ever flush the three Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) to help us maintain an effective sewerage system.”

Adam Lovell, executive director, Water Services Association of Australia, said that message from the water industry to only flush the 3Ps poo, pee and (toilet) paper down the toilet doesn’t change.

“But now we can add, check for the flushable symbol,” he said.

“If there is no flushable symbol on the packet then don’t flush it, put it in the bin.”

The roll out of the flushable symbol on packaging is expected to begin within the next few months.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-06-14/12

in the 14 June 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.