What not to flush

Our wastewater pipes are only designed to carry pee, poo and toilet paper. 

However, unflushable items like tissues, wet wipes, paper towels and toys keep making their way into our wastewater system.  
These build up to cause blockages, increasing the risk of pipe bursts and overflows. 

Find out which items should not be flushed or poured down the drain and how to safely dispose of them. 

What not to flush down the toilet

Tissues, paper towels and wet wipes

Facial tissues, paper towels and wet wipes should not be flushed.  

While some wipes may be labelled as ‘flushable’, they don’t break down as easily as toilet paper in our wastewater system, which leads to blockages. 

Put them in the bin instead.

Tampons, pads, nappies and condoms

Sanitary products like tampons, pads, nappies and condoms should not be flushed.  

These commonly contain plastic and other materials that don’t break down naturally.  

Save the poor plumber the task of fishing these nasties out of your drain and put them in the bin instead.

Cotton buds, bandaids and dental floss

Your toilet is not a bin for rubbish like cotton buds and balls, bandaids or floss.

These items don’t break down in water and should not be flushed, so dispose of these properly by putting them in the bin.

What not to pour down the drain

Cooking oil and grease

Fats, oils and grease hardening in pipes cause 30% of our wastewater blockages.  

To prevent ‘fatbergs’ from forming in our pipes, pour off any leftover oil from cooking into a container and put it in the bin.  

Before you wash any greasy dishes or pots and pans, use a paper towel to wipe away any excess oil and food scraps.

Food scraps

Food scraps, including coffee grounds, tea leaves and milk (which contains fats that can build up in our pipes), should not be flushed or poured down the drain. 

When washing your dishes, always keep a strainer in your sink to make sure scraps don’t make their way down the drain. 

Besides putting them in your general waste bin, you can dispose of your food scraps by: 

• Putting them into a compost bin or worm farm. Your garden will benefit from the extra nutrients! 
• Putting them in your Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin, if you have one. Find out which areas in WA have a kerbside FOGO bin service. 
• Finding a food waste drop-off or pickup service in your local area to stop your food waste going to landfill.

Chemicals

Chemicals like paint, cleaning products, fertiliser and pesticides should not be poured down the sink or drain. 

Instead, give these to a waste contractor or ask your local council about hazardous waste drop-off. Unwanted paint can go to Paintback drop-off locations.

Medicine

Expired or unwanted medicine should not be poured down the sink or flushed.  

Instead, take it to your pharmacy for safe disposal. This includes prescription or over the counter medicines, herbal or complementary supplements.

Engine oils

Engine oil and other fluids from your vehicle should not be poured down the drain or flushed. 

Most automotive retailers and mechanics accept used automotive oil in purpose-made containers with a secure cap.  

Contact your local council for advice on disposing brake fluid, power steering fluid or coolant in your area. You can recycle coolants at your nearest recycler.

What happens if I flush something other than pee, poo or toilet paper?

Do you ever think about where your waste goes after it disappears down our toilets and drains? 
All those unflushable items, fats and oils that don’t break down in water clump together, forming what we call fatbergs.These cause serious blockages, which can force waste back up our pipes and flood into homes and gardens. Even some products that are labelled as flushable contribute to massive pipe monsters! Learn more about what happens at our wastewater treatment plants. 

Even worse than a poo fountain at home, is when these items end up in the ocean.  
Unsuspecting wildlife can mistake cotton buds and other sewage related litter, for food.  
It's so important we all stop and think to keep our waterways healthy.  

Remember, you should only flush the three Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper.