The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) has accepted a resolution issued by the office of California Assembly Member Richard Bloom to recognize July 1 as “Flush Smart Day.” The inaugural observance also marks the official launch of RFA’s consumer education campaign aimed at improving proper flushing habits in homes and businesses in California and the across the nation.

California’s Proper Labeling of Wet Wipes law (Assembly Bill 818), was passed last October through the leadership of Assembly Member Bloom, establishing requirements for the proper labeling of disposable wipes with the “Do Not Flush” symbol and support of a consumer education campaign. In accordance with the law, RFA officially launches its #FlushSmart campaign, which includes a series of educational materials, in both English and Spanish, and resources for consumers, educators, wastewater agencies and other stakeholder groups regarding what should not be flushed down the toilet.

“At times of drought and lower flows in our state, maintaining proper flushing habits is paramount to helping protect our critical infrastructure,” says Bloom. “These efforts, as well as the debut of the ‘Do Not Flush’ symbol on product packaging, will help protect our communities’ precious groundwater and other fresh water sources from potential contamination.”

Washington, Oregon and Illinois also have similar labeling laws for non-flushable wipes. This ensures that consumers across the country will have the opportunity to learn about what not to flush by seeing the “Do Not Flush” symbol prominently featured on non-flushable wipes packaging.

“We are pioneering a first-of-its kind educational initiative to fix a very simple but serious issue in the state of California and other parts of the country,” said RFA President Lara Wyss. “Nearly 60 percent of consumers indicated in a 2021 survey that they have disposed of something non-flushable in the toilet during the previous year. That is why ‘Flush Smart Day,’ and the #FlushSmart campaign, is so critical in helping to reverse this negative trend impacting our wastewater systems.”

The campaign launch showcases the collaboration among government, wastewater, environmental, and industry groups to create meaningful solutions to problems caused by consumers flushing the wrong products down the toilet. The RFA and its members are fighting to spread greater awareness of the “Do Not Flush” symbol, which is now prominently displayed on non-flushable wipes packaging.

“By educating Californians to practice smart flushing habits, we can influence a decrease in undue pressure on our pipes, pumps and waste treatment plants so they can safely run at optimal levels and keep waste in its place,” says Adam Link, Executive Director, California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Support for the #FlushSmart educational campaign includes those who helped spearhead the law, including Assemblymember Bloom, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), and the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC). RFA’s campaign represents the industry’s first national consumer education effort focused on what not to flush.

“Removing plastics from our waterways is of the utmost importance to preserving our environment and drinking water,” said Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director, National Stewardship Action Council. “Prominent Do Not Flush labeling is critical to providing ‘truth in labeling’ so the public knows these products belong in a waste bin, not the toilet.”