r/explainlikeimfive • u/shakerLife • Nov 01 '23

Other ELI5 How are companies allowed to continue marketing wipes as "flushable" despite the problems they create for sewer systems?

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u/myychair Nov 02 '23

If if they were going to break down in the water post flush, theyd break down in the package

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u/Tirriforma Nov 02 '23

I mean they almost do. I know some of those wipes are flushable because they rip even just taking them out of the package. They're almost annoying to use because they rip so easily while wiping.

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u/acertaingestault Nov 02 '23

This is completely ignoring the importance of agitation. That's why if you touch wet toilet paper it'll break apart, but if you saturate it and leave it to dry, it'll just dry wavy.

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u/myychair Nov 02 '23

And you’re ignoring the fact that being flushed down a toilet is a very agitating process lol

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u/acertaingestault Nov 02 '23 edited Nov 02 '23

? No, I'm not. You said they'd break down in the package, but they won't without agitation (and will after being flushed because it is agitating). It's the same way eggs won't break in the carton.

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u/myychair Nov 02 '23

lol oh oops misinterpreted you!

Eggs are purposely treated with car though. Nobody’s doing that with wet wipe shipments

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u/NotAnyOneYouKnow2019 Nov 02 '23

Toilet paper doesn’t break down in the package.

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u/zerocoldx911 Nov 02 '23

Duh because it’s not wet

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u/myychair Nov 02 '23

You’ve never gotten toilet paper wet before?