So what do plumbers actually say about flushable wipes? In short: Australian plumbers broadly support certified flushable wipes, specifically those that meet the AS/NZS 5328:2022 standard, but remain firmly opposed to the uncertified "flushable" wipes that have caused decades of household and sewer blockages. The distinction they keep drawing is between wipes that have passed independent flushability testing and wipes that simply carry the word "flushable" on the packaging. The standard, introduced in May 2022, finally gave the trade the language to make that distinction publicly.
Here's what plumbers are saying, why they're saying it, and what it means for your home.
Plumbers Welcome AS/NZS 5328 Because It Protects Them, Too
Before May 2022, "flushable" was a marketing term with no enforceable definition in Australia. Plumbers were left to clean up the consequences.
Whywait Plumbing (Gold Coast) publicly described the standard as a positive development, noting that it should reduce blockages and save money for plumbers and homeowners alike.
Andrew Vanny Plumbing (Sydney) went further, with David Vanny calling the standard a significant step forward in providing clarity for consumers about what can and cannot be flushed. They also emphasise that even certified flushable wipes shouldn't be flushed in large volumes, recommending one or two at a time, in line with the product's own instructions.
Fallon Solutions (Brisbane) flags a detail consumers often miss: the labelling system is voluntary, so anything without the official "flushable" label should be assumed unsuitable for the toilet.
The pattern across plumber commentary is consistent. The standard gives the trade and their customers a defensible line between products that have been independently tested and products that haven't.
What the Water Industry Actually Says
The position of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), the peak body that helped develop the standard, is often misread as "no wipes should ever be flushed." It isn't.
In their October 2024 FAQ, WSAA explicitly accepts that products meeting AS/NZS 5328:2022 can carry a flushable logo and be flushed. Their position is that:
- Manufacturers are encouraged to comply with the standard, including the labelling requirements.
- Products that pass the tests can legitimately display the flushable logo and the AS/NZS 5328:2022 reference.
- Products that claim to be flushable but don't meet the standard could be subject to legal action under the Australian Consumer Law or the NZ Fair Trading Act.
- WSAA is actively following up with manufacturers whose products still claim flushability without meeting the standard.
WSAA has also worked directly with major retailers on enforcement. They met with Woolworths in March 2024, and in response Woolworths developed a Flushability Requirements and Labelling Policy that requires its suppliers to meet AS/NZS 5328:2022 and produce testing proof within 48 hours if requested.
The "3 Ps" message (pee, poo and toilet paper) remains useful as a default for consumers facing an unlabeled product. But the water industry's formal position is now clearer: if a wipe is certified to AS/NZS 5328:2022, it is flushable. If it isn't certified, bin it.
Why Plumbers Still Default to Caution
Plumbers across the country still echo the "3 Ps" line, even with the standard in place. Two reasons:
Reason 1: The labelling is voluntary, and most wipes still aren't certified. Until the AS/NZS 5328:2022 mark becomes the norm on shelves, plumbers default to caution.
Reason 2: Biodegradable doesn't mean flushable. This is the message plumbers are increasingly having to repeat. Plant-based wipes break down in landfill or compost, but at the point of flushing they're still strong enough that they don't disperse in the sewer. They block pipes the same way plastic wipes do. Biodegradability describes end-of-life behaviour, not in-pipe behaviour.
What Plumbers Want You to Look For
Across the commentary, practical plumber advice converges on three checks before flushing any wipe:
- Look for "Complies with AS/NZS 5328:2022" on the packaging
- Look for the certified flushable symbol, a simple graphic of someone disposing of an item in a toilet
- If neither is present, bin it. This includes any wipe labelled biodegradable, eco-friendly, plant-based, or "flushable" without AS/NZS 5328:2022 certification.
Where Kine Sits
We make wipes in two clearly distinct categories, because the plumber and water industry consensus is right to push for that distinction:
- Kine flushable body cloths and Kine flushable baby wipes are certified to AS/NZS 5328:2022. Plant-based, plastic-free, and Australian-made. Designed to disperse in the sewer the way the standard requires. These packets are clearly labelled as recommended.
- Kine biodegradable wipes (coming soon) are plant-based and plastic-free, designed to break down in landfill or compost. Not flushable. These belong in the green bin or compost. These are clearly marked with "DO NOT FLUSH".
The plumber consensus is the same one we follow as a manufacturer: certify what you flush, and bin everything else.
