It’s a Can, but Not for Trash

“Disposable” doesn’t always mean flushable. Flushing wipes and paper towels can cause blockages in the sewer system and can cause sewage backups into your home, businesses and local waterways.

Flushing items labeled “disposable” or “flushable” can cause big problems. They get stuck in the sewer pipes which can cause sewer overflows that can cause harm to your family, health, property, plumbing or sewer services. Not only are these problems a hassle to deal with they can also be costly to fix.

Don’t flush wipes, paper towels, latex, medications, sanitary products, rags or clothes. Help keep our pipes clean – think trash not toilets.

To avoid blockages in pipes and sewage overflows, residents should follow these practices:

• Do not flush wipes in the toilet, even if the packaging says “flushable” or “disposable.”
• Do not pour used cooking oil, hot grease or fats (butter/margarine) down the drain.
• Do not flush paper towels, kitty litter, fabrics of any kind, plastic or latex in the toilet.

Here are some useful tips for all residents:

• Use mesh drain strainers to catch food scraps for disposal in trash can.
• Use a pot scraper to scrape food or grease into the trash can rather than the sink.
• Place cooled grease into a container that can be put in a trash can.

BPUB customers can come by the Administration Building at 1425 Robinhood Drive in Brownsville to pick up a free pot scraper to keep food and grease out of the drain and put it into the trash can where it belongs.

BPUB reminds the city that wipes clog pipes.