In recent years, an increased availability of disposable hygiene products has created the need to ensure that nonwoven products are safe for flushing and compatible with municipal wastewater treatment systems. According to the International Nonwovens and Disposables Association (INDA) & European Disposables and Nonwovens Associations (EDANA) guidelines, in order to be flushable, a product must:
- Clear toilets and properly maintained drainage pipe systems under expected product usage conditions
- Be compatible with existing wastewater conveyance, treatment, reuse and disposal systems
- Become unrecognizable in a reasonable period of time and be safe in the natural receiving environments
RespirTek services can help your company decide whether to market your product as flushable. With our services, there’s no doubt — the results of these tests will provide clear evidence as to whether or not your product is flushable. Our company offers anaerobic and aerobic biodisintegration potential testing per INDA & EDANA standards for flushability. We are capable of supporting INDA & EDANA tier 1 testing.
Flushability Testing
Flushability testing is a complex process that determines whether your products are safe to dispose of using standard septic systems and whether they meet important flushability guidelines.
This indispensable process is particularly vital for bringing disposable nonwoven products to market, such as flushable wipes. If these products are not septic-safe, they could cause problems for both your customers and your brand as a whole.
Why Flushability Testing Matters
Many customers prefer the convenience of using flushable products. However, not all disposable products are compatible with modern wastewater treatment facilities. Many consumers are unaware of which products are safe to flush — for example, one survey indicated that 26% of Californians erroneously believe that baby wipes are flushable. Flushing non-flushable material can lead to serious sewage blockages and damage to the system as a whole. Many non-flushable products also cause environmental damage, as they are not biodegradable.
The flushability definition is exactly what it sounds like — it determines whether or not a product can safely be flushed down the toilet. Flushability tests assess the composition of a product to ensure that it is compatible with standard septic systems and wastewater treatment plants. These tests also assess the biodegradability and environmental safety of the product.
INDA/EDANA Flushability Guidelines
Two key flushability guidelines that nonwoven disposable products must meet are the INDA flushability guidelines and the EDANA flushability standard. These guidelines require products to meet a certain level of disintegration and biodegradability in order to be marketed as flushable products. INDA also created a voluntary labeling Code of Practice that features a ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol on the packaging.
IWSFG Flushability Testing Guidelines
The International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG) has developed flushability testing guidelines for assessing the safety of various disposable products. To be considered flushable, an item must meet standards in five categories. These include:
- Environmental impact
- Disintegration
- Biodisintegration
- Settling
- Toilet and drain line clearance
IWSFG guidelines also outline clear procedures for disintegration tests. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for any brand bringing a product to market that could potentially be disposed of through flushing.
How Does Flushability Testing Work?
Flushability testing assesses disposable products in various scenarios to determine whether or not they are safe to use with current wastewater infrastructure. Additionally, these tests assess the product’s environmental impact, ensuring that it will settle and disintegrate properly without polluting the natural landscape. The results of these tests will provide clear evidence as to whether or not your product is flushable.
Why RespirTek?
At RespirTek, we offer flushability and biodisintegration testing to ensure your nonwoven disposable products are safe to use. We use INDA and EDANA’s certified testing methods to help you assess whether or not your product meets these essential criteria. With our advanced testing capabilities and technical expertise, we are here to support you in your flushability testing needs. Please contact us at 228.392.7977 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our technical team to learn how your company can benefit from our respirometry services.