Wipes Advocacy Update

There has been a lot of progress made on the wipes issue over the last 1-2 years. Since 2013, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and other water associations have focused on the three elements needed to improve the wipes problem for utilities: (1) Improved “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes; (2) Flushable wipes that are truly flushable; and (3) Public education on proper flushing habits. Each of these three things is happening now, as described in the summary below. The final item in the summary, on federal legislation, is where your help is needed on further advocacy.

State Wipes Labeling Laws Now in Effect – On July 1, the wipes labeling laws in Washington, Oregon, California, and Illinois went into effect. These laws all require “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes, such as baby wipes and cleaning wipes. Congratulations to the state organizations that worked on these laws! We expect the “Do Not Flush” labeling required in these states to essentially become nationwide practices, since wipes manufacturers will likely use the same package designs in all locations.

Public Education by Wipes Manufacturers – As part of the California labeling law, wipes manufacturers are required to do public education on flushing practices. The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) kicked off its #FlushSmart public education campaign at the end of June. The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and NACWA are members of the RFA. The RFA has educational resources that are available to utilities.

Wipes That are Truly Flushable – Some wipes manufacturers are producing wipes that meet the flushability specifications of the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG). NACWA is an IWSFG member and supports its flushability specifications. As a result of a lawsuit brought by Charleston Water Services, Kimberly Clark entered a settlement agreement requiring its flushable wipes to meet the IWSFG specification by May 1, 2022. NicePak, which manufacturers wipes for Costco, Target, CVS, and other stores, has also announced an improved flushable wipe. (Note that the IWSFG does not certify flushability, and these are just two readily available examples of wipes manufacturers that have improved their product flushability – there may be others.)

IWSFG Membership Available – The IWSFG would like to have more wastewater organizations as members, so joining the IWSFG is now an easier process with no MOU required. There is no cost to join – membership will show your support of flushability specifications that protect utilities and keep you informed of new developments related to flushability. Please email Tony Frye (tfrye@nacwa.org) if you would like to join the IWSFG or would like more information.

Federal Labeling and Flushability Legislation – This is where your help is needed! Three bills have been introduced related to wipes labeling and flushability:

Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act – The WIPPES Act would require “Do Not Flush” labeling on all non-flushable wipes. The wipes industry supports the WIPPES Act.
- HR 4602 was introduced by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and has 10 co-sponsors (only one Republican)
- S 3956 was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to closely follow HR 4602, but includes a state preemption clause and creation of an EPA Consumer Education & Outreach Grant Program which we support.
Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship (PIPES) Act, HR 6591 – The PIPES Act would require EPA to set flushability standards for flushable wipes. It was introduced by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and has two co-sponsors. Unlike WIPPES, the wipes industry is not supporting the PIPES Act at this time.

Please consider asking your members of Congress to support both of these bills. Template letters are available for the House bills and the Senate bill. It would be particularly helpful to get more Republicans on board to help advance these bills. Please contact Tony Frye, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs, at tfrye@nacwa.org for more information on how to support these bills.


Wipes Advocacy Update
Wipes Advocacy Update There has been a lot of progress made on the wipes issue over the last 1-2 years. Since 2013, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and other water associations have focused on the three elements needed to improve the wipes problem for utilities: (1) Improved “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes; (2) Flushable wipes that are truly flushable; and (3) Public education on proper flushing habits. Each of these three things is happening now, as described in the summary below. The final item in the summary, on federal legislation, is where your help is needed on further advocacy. State Wipes Labeling Laws Now in Effect – On July 1, the wipes labeling laws in Washington, Oregon, California, and Illinois went into effect. These laws all require “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes, such as baby wipes and cleaning wipes. Congratulations to the state organizations that worked on these laws! We expect the “Do Not Flush” labeling required in these states to essentially become nationwide practices, since wipes manufacturers will likely use the same package designs in all locations. Public Education by Wipes Manufacturers – As part of the California labeling law, wipes manufacturers are required to do public education on flushing practices. The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) kicked off its #FlushSmart public education campaign at the end of June. The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and NACWA are members of the RFA. The RFA has educational resources that are available to utilities. Wipes That are Truly Flushable – Some wipes manufacturers are producing wipes that meet the flushability specifications of the International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG). NACWA is an IWSFG member and supports its flushability specifications. As a result of a lawsuit brought by Charleston Water Services, Kimberly Clark entered a settlement agreement requiring its flushable wipes to meet the IWSFG specification by May 1, 2022. NicePak, which manufacturers wipes for Costco, Target, CVS, and other stores, has also announced an improved flushable wipe. (Note that the IWSFG does not certify flushability, and these are just two readily available examples of wipes manufacturers that have improved their product flushability – there may be others.) IWSFG Membership Available – The IWSFG would like to have more wastewater organizations as members, so joining the IWSFG is now an easier process with no MOU required. There is no cost to join – membership will show your support of flushability specifications that protect utilities and keep you informed of new developments related to flushability. Please email Tony Frye (tfrye@nacwa.org) if you would like to join the IWSFG or would like more information. Federal Labeling and Flushability Legislation – This is where your help is needed! Three bills have been introduced related to wipes labeling and flushability: Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act – The WIPPES Act would require “Do Not Flush” labeling on all non-flushable wipes. The wipes industry supports the WIPPES Act. HR 4602 was introduced by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and has 10 co-sponsors (only one Republican) S 3956 was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to closely follow HR 4602, but includes a state preemption clause and creation of an EPA Consumer Education & Outreach Grant Program which we support. Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship (PIPES) Act, HR 6591 – The PIPES Act would require EPA to set flushability standards for flushable wipes. It was introduced by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and has two co-sponsors. Unlike WIPPES, the wipes industry is not supporting the PIPES Act at this time. Please consider asking your members of Congress to support both of these bills. Template letters are available for the House bills and the Senate bill. It would be particularly helpful to get more Republicans on board to help advance these bills. Please contact Tony Frye, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs, at tfrye@nacwa.org for more information on how to support these bills.
General Communication - Wipes Advocacy Update