Two U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill requiring manufacturers to label nonflushable wet wipes with information about the wipes’ proper disposal. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) introduced the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act, stated a news release from Sen. Collins’ office.
The legislation aims to inform people that wet wipes should not be flushed down the toilet. Because the wipes’ synthetic fibers do not break down, the wipes can obstruct septic systems and sewer pipes. Nonflushable wipes clog pumps, block collections systems and cause other damage that can result in sewage backups and equipment
