From material science to practical applications
In recent years, the massive use of wet wipes and cleaning cloths has led to a surge in sewer clogging problems around the world. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 40% of sewer clogging incidents are directly related to non-flushable wipes residue.
Flushable Nonwoven Fabric, as an innovative material, is becoming a key solution to this problem. In this paper, we start from the technical principle, experimental data and actual cases to analyse how to solve the blockage problem.
I. How Traditional Wet Wipes Cause Sewer Disasters?
1. The root cause of clogging: non-dispersible materials
Ordinary wipes are made of polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP) and other plastic fibres, which have the following fatal flaws:
High tensile strength: remains strong in the wet state, wrapping around the inner walls of pipes or pumping machines.
Non-degradable: remains in the sewage for a long time, mixes with grease and oil to form a ‘Fatberg’.
Pseudo ‘flushable’ misleading: some products are falsely labelled, increasing the burden on pipes.
2. Economic and ecological losses
Municipal costs: New York City spends more than $18 million a year cleaning up wipes clogs.
Ecological damage: residual fibres enter the ocean and threaten aquatic life (7% of marine microplastic pollution).
II. Practical Applications: From Laboratory to Municipal Systems
1. Laboratory Validation
Toilet Flush Test:
10 pieces of dispersible nonwoven fabrics were put into a standard toilet bowl (6L flush) and completely dispersed within 30 seconds, with no fibre clusters remaining (certified by IWSFG).
Pipeline simulation test:
In 50 metres of simulated sewage pipe, dispersible material fragments degraded to <5mm particles within 2 hours, well below the clogging risk threshold.
III. Precautions for the correct use of dispersible nonwovens
Although material innovation has significantly reduced the risk, scientific use is still key:
Recognise authoritative certification:
✅ INDA/EDANA GD4 (dispersibility)
✅ Fine to Flush (UK Water)
✅ ISO 24521 (sewage compatibility)
Limitations of use:
≤ 2 tablets in a single flush to avoid excessive build-up.
Older pipes (>20 years) are recommended to be disposed of in the bin.
Refuse to mix flushing dispersal:
It is strictly prohibited to flush in with grease, cotton swabs, etc. to prevent compound blockage.
IV.Conclusion: End clogging at the source!
Through the dual mechanism of **"dispersible material + degradable system ’**, dispersible nonwoven fabrics not only solve the problem of clogged pipes, but also promote the development of circular economy. Choosing certified products is both a personal responsibility and a long-term investment in urban infrastructure.
