Can all biodegradable wipes be flushed?

Plant-based, biodegradable wipes, like Pura’s are fantastic for busy but eco-conscious parents - meaning you can enjoy the convenience of disposable wipes without harming your planet.

While plastic containing wipes can take up to 100 years to biodegrade, plastic-free wipes break down in weeks in landfill or when composted. Unfortunately, this is not the case when a wipe is flushed down the loo.

Not all flushable wipes are safe to flush!

When you think about it, many things like socks or tampons are actually flushable, but this doesn’t mean that you should flush them! Same goes with so-called “flushable” wipes.

So being simply labelled “flushable”, “biodegradable” or “plastic-free” is not enough to ensure your wipes won't clog pipes or cause fatbergs.

To make sure your wipes are safe to flush, you need to ensure that your wipes are certified Fine to Flush by Water UK.

Fine to Flush

Wipes (especially those containing plastic), that are flushed down the loo, are one of the main culprits behind the creation of sewer-wrecking fatbergs. 

In 2017, the biggest ever in-depth investigation of sewer blockages in the UK proved that flushed plastic wipes had caused some serious problems. So in 2019, Water UK launched strict universal standards for flushables - Fine to Flush.

To achieve Fine to Flush status in 2020, Pura had to pass Water UK’s stringent tests, which include looking for plastics and residuals that could contaminate rivers, estuaries and the sea.

Only wipes that feature the Fine to Flush symbol, like Pura’s do, will safely dissolve in drains – just like loo roll – instead of contributing to the notoriously yucky fatbergs.  

How are Pura’s wipes different?

Both wipes are made from plastic-free cloth and are biodegradable. Our non-flushable wipes – those in the green packet – are created using Viscose fibre. This is a plant-based, plastic-free and sustainably sourced material that is compostable and biodegradable.

Our flushable wipes are made from pulp and Tencel. Tencel is made from a sustainably sourced plant material and it is also biodegradable. This means they sink when flushed, rather than floating, and will break down in a jiffy so they won’t block pipes. Perfect for hygienic nappy changes and potty training!

To avoid any confusion, both flushable and non-flushable wipes are clearly labelled as such on the outer packaging and our flushable wipes have the ‘Fine to Flush’ logo displayed on pack. So whether flushing is your thing, or you prefer to bin, we have a wipe to cover all your needs!