Responsible Flushing Alliance

Turns out grown-ups need potty training, too.

Last year, we gave grown-ups a potty training refresher and the reminder was simple:
🚽Always check the label before you flush
🚽Look for the Do Not Flush symbol on wipes packaging
🚽Keep a trash can near the toilet for non-flushable items
month is back in 2026. Are you ready?
https://flushsmart.org/potty-training-basics/

Luckily, this clog was staged for the cameras — but the millions of real clogs are anything but fictional.

Taking a look back at our 2024 activation at VidCon, we turned a clogged toilet into a full-blown crime scene, and thousands of attendees stepped in to solve it.

The real culprit? The everyday items people flush without thinking — baby wipes, paper towels, cotton swabs and more.

It got people talking about what goes down the drain. Look for the Do Not Flush symbol on your products. https://flushsmart.org/toilet-crimes-across-california/

School may be out, but flushing habits are year-round!

At RFA, we believe healthy communities start at home. Help your kids learn how small habits protect your neighborhood’s waterways. Explore our free activities page for hands-on educational material for all ages!
https://flushsmart.org/for-parents-and-educators/

PSA: your toilet has standards
Most wipes aren't designed to be flushed—baby, cleaning & makeup wipes are trash-can-only products.
What about wipes labeled flushable? Those go through rigorous testing to ensure they're safe for your pipes.
Always check for the Do Not Flush label!

Great partnerships drive great change! 🤝
We sat down with the deputy director of BAHP to discuss how we’re tackling irresponsible disposal of hygiene products together.
Read our latest blog to find out more!
https://flushsmart.org/how-bahp-and-rfa-are-working-together-for-responsible-disposal/

Responsible flushing is all about following the rules – before anything is flushed, look for the disposal instructions on the packaging.

If you see the Do Not Flush label, you know what to do: do not flush!

Our collection study revealed that flushable wipes are not the culprit when it comes to clogs and damaged wastewater equipment. The real offenders are non-flushable items including baby wipes, paper towels and feminine hygiene products.

Of the 1,700+ items collected, tampons and pads comprised 7.2% of the total. These products are designed for durability and absorption – inherently non-flushable.

Only flush the flushable. Always look for a disposal label before putting anything in the toilet.

Pro tip: keep a trash can near the toilet to help keep non-flushable items out of the sewer!

Being a responsible flusher is easier than you think!

✅ Check wipes packaging for the Do Not Flush symbol & disposal instructions
✅ Throw non-flushable items in the trash
✅ Tell your friends and family

Together, we can protect our plumbing, our pipes, and our planet. 🌍

Responsibility 🤝 Accessibility

Aunt Flow and RFA have these pillars woven into their core values. For , we're spotlighting Aunt Flow's success bringing these components to the forefront of their business model.

And remember, period products are not flushable. The largest sewage collection study conducted found 7% of non-flushable items were tampons and pads. They always go in the trash, never the toilet.

Empowering Menstruators, Protecting Plumbing: The Aunt Flow Story - Flush Smart At RFA, we’re dedicated to educating the public about what not to flush. While many of us know the basics (look for the Do Not Flush symbol!), the conversation about period product disposal is too often overlooked. We were happy to talk to Claire Coder, the inspiring founder and CEO behind Aunt Fl...

Happy National Baby Day! 🍼 New parents, we see you: surviving on no sleep and approximately 40 wipes per day (that's 1,110 a month, if you're counting 😅).

You're doing amazing. But here's one thing to keep off your to-do list: flushing those wipes. Baby wipes are NOT flushable — and baby wipes makers clearly label packages with the Do Not Flush symbol as a reminder. So even if it’s 3 a.m. and you’re a bit bleary-eyed, that clear disposal instruction is front and center.

When in doubt, always check the label for the Do Not Flush symbol before anything goes in the bowl.

Toss them in the trash, not the toilet.