Can You Flush Toilet Paper Down The Toilet?

It’s common to flush down your toilet paper after every use. I have even done so since my childhood. But sometimes, your drain pipe may become clogged, or you’re worried about how eco-friendly it is. So the question pops up in your mind-

Can you flush toilet paper down the toilet?

Yes, you can if your toilet plumbing permits to do so. But if your plumbing system doesn’t allow flushing, then toss them into the trash. Otherwise, you can find an alternative eco-friendly option.

It’s just a brief answer so far. But there is a lot more I discussed below. So you must keep reading to gain complete knowledge about your question. 

So why late? Get started right away!

Table of Contents

• Can You Flush Toilet Paper Down The Toilet?
  • Flush or Throw Your Toilet Paper: Which Method is Better?
  • Alternatives To Flushing and Tossing Toilet Paper?
  • Why Does Flushing Toilet Paper Form Clogs?
  • How Can You Stop Clogs?
  • Related Questions
  • Final Verdict

Can You Flush Toilet Paper Down The Toilet?

Many people like you fell in a dilemma about what to do with the used toilet paper. Is it a good idea to flush them or throw them into the waste bin?

Though the question is simple, the answer is not that much straightforward. Just scroll down and reveal the answer.

Flush or Throw Your Toilet Paper: Which Method is Better?

There are no opinions as to which option is good for the environment. But if you ask about a “better one,” then I can make a comparison for you. This comparison will be based on the lifecycle from production to disposal of toilet paper.

What Happens to Toilet Paper When You Flush It?

When you flush toilet paper, it genuinely breaks down into particles and dissolves in the water through a sewage system. That’s because most toilet papers are made from short fibers, which are softer and easier to dissolve. 

After flushing, 95% of toilet paper dissolves in the water, but the other 5% remains sludge and goes to a landfill or a farmer’s field that is extremely bad for the environment. 

Otherwise, the bacteria that help to break down the toilet paper produces carbon dioxide. As you can understand, it’s a greenhouse gas that directly causes harm to the environment. 

What Happens to Toilet Paper When You Throw It?

Well, when you throw toilet paper in the trash, imagine what happened next. In general, it ends up in landfills. We know landfills form over a vast land area and leach dangerous chemicals to the environment. Among those chemicals, methane is the most common gas released from landfills. 

You better know methane is the most harmful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. So comparatively, it’s more dangerous for the environment. The other downside in this approach is that it takes a long time or even years to break down and decompose the toilet paper.

So What’s The decision?

After seeing the impact of both methods, I think flushing is the better choice than throwing.

But wait. Either one is not an eco-friendly option. Toilet paper is a non-recyclable and wasteful product. Otherwise, manufacturers cut a ton of trees every year, leading to deforestation. If we don’t alert this time our future generation will face great trouble.

So what can you do without flushing or throwing tissue papers?

Alternatives To Flushing and Tossing Toilet Paper?

Switching to an eco-friendly process can make our life more sustainable. So I will collect some of the methods that you can try instead of regular toilet paper.

1. Use “Recyclable Toilet Paper”

Nowadays, several manufacturers sell recyclable toilet paper. So it’s an excellent alternative to flushing the paper. But it has a few downsides too. Recycled toilet paper is made from “thermal paper” and coated with BPA to prevent fading. So it contains BPA and BPS chemicals which work as endocrine disruptors. But these chemicals can lead to heart disease, cancer, congenital disabilities, and all sorts of nasty stuff. 

If you like to select this alternative, then look at its label whether they are-

• Chlorine-free
• BPA-free
• Unbleached
• And 100% recycled

2. Using A Bidet

Yes. Bidet is another effective way to use toilet paper. You might be familiar with bidet as it is commonly used in many countries around the globe, along with the United States. Bidet is water cleaning toilet equipment that fits onto the toilet. It shoots out water, and a few buttons are available to control water pressure and temperature. So instead of wiping with toilet paper, a bidet can wonderfully clean your private areas.

But if you don’t think bidet can fully clean your booty, then try your hands and water. Awkward right? But not at all. This process is more effective to clean than toilet paper. And I personally know some people who prefer this idea rather than toilet paper.

If you’re worried about hygiene, use one swipe of toilet paper to your sensitive area. Next, clean it off using a bucket of water scrubbing with your hand. Lastly, sanitize your hands to ensure hygiene. 

3. Use a Cloth Toilet Paper

Clothes as toilet paper! I know it’s too weird to listen. Actually, I also react like this when I hear this idea for the first time. But yes, cloth toilet paper is also a great alternative to toilet paper as it’s softer, affordable, and more eco-friendly. 

Why Does Flushing Toilet Paper Form Clogs?

You might not like to switch your cleaning process from toilet paper. But sometimes, toilet paper can clog the plumbing system. Though most toilet papers are designed to be flushable, you would think it won’t cause emergency plumbing. But the truth is toilet paper can clog form, and there are a few reasons behind this. 

1. Flushable Wipes

At present, some companies have developed new toilet papers or wipes that are flushable. But there is doubt how effective the “flushable wipe” is to flush. Research says that in most cases, it’s just a failure. This term is only a marketing strategy to attract customers. Your sewer system can not digest these wipes because they don’t dissolve in the water and get stuck on your toilet.

2. Low-Flow Toilets

Low-flow toilets used less water to flush. So if you flush toilet paper that is not dedicated to a low-flow toilet, it can end up clogging the toilet pipe. That’s because less water causes a reduction of water pressure that pushes the waste down and causes clogging over time. Luckily, you can swap out this problem by picking the right toilet paper for the low-flow toilet.

3. Rough Cast Iron Pipes

You might use cast iron pipes for durability and long-time use. That’s great. But after years, it can rust, and the edges become rough. As a result, toilet paper and other particles can get stuck in it. The oldest cast iron pipes have a maximum chance of getting clogged.

4. Using Too Much Toilet Paper

Using too much toilet paper is the common reason for pipe clogging. Yes, if you’re an adult, you must know how much paper is too much. But, if there are kids in your house who don’t understand these things, then you might face this problem frequently.

How Can You Stop Clogs?

Prevention is always better than cure. So you have to consciously use your toilet to prevent clogging. As you have to face a lot of hassle to clean your clogged toilet. That’s why you should check your toilet paper before use. Is it clogging the toilet or not? But, how? Here’s the process

1. Test Your Toilet Paper

First, test your toilet paper to determine which paper roll is most suitable for your plumbing system that won’t clog the pipes. For this, you can follow the steps below.

1. Take two pieces of toilet paper from your current toilet roll.

2. Drop it into your toilet bowl 

3. Lastly, observe how much it takes time to dissolve.

If it doesn’t change a little bit even after a few minutes, then it might be too thick to dissolve and can make trouble for your plumbing system.

In that case, opt for a thinner and lighter toilet paper that can easily dissolve after flushing. Wonderly, inexpensive toilet paper is best for flushing and eco-friendly. 

2. Call A Plumber

Suppose you’re unsure which toilet paper is suitable for your toilet and plumbing. Or should you flush toilet paper or not, call a professional plumber who can help you decide.

3. Quick Tips for Your Used Toilet Paper

• Don’t flush too much toilet paper at a time. Also, observe the packaging of the paper, whether it is made for flushing or not.

• Don’t flush facial or kitchen tissues as they are not suitable for flushing. Otherwise, facial tissues use perfume and other elements which are not suitable for the ecosystem. 
• If you’re traveling to a new country and you don’t know where to throw toilet paper after use, look around in the bathroom whether there is a rubbish container near the toilet bowl. If so, you should throw the wasted paper onto it rather than flushing. However, if there is no bin there, you can flush down the tissue.

Related Questions

Is flushing toilet paper bad for pipes?

No, flushing toilet paper is not bad for pipes as they are specially designed to break up fast after flushing them. That’s why they won’t clog your toilet pipes and create any plumbing disasters.

Does quilted toilet paper block drains?

Yes, the quilted toilet paper will block your toilet drains as they won’t be dissolved with water. However, the thicker the toilet paper will be, the more chances of clogging the entire plumbing system of your toilet.

How long does it take for toilet paper to dissolve?

If you flush the toilet paper after using it, it will take 1-4 minutes to dissolve. After dissolving, they will go through the septic system. After that, they will be processed by the national municipal sewer treatment plants.

What can I use to dissolve toilet paper?

You can pour baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, Epsom salt, or RID-X into the toilet bowl to dissolve toilet paper. However, if these essential cleaners can’t clear your toilet pipes, you can use toilet plungers or snakes to decompose them.

Can you flush toilet paper down the toilet?

Yes, in most cases, you can flush toilet paper down the toilet. However, this can depend on various factors such as the type of toilet paper, the plumbing system, and the local sewage regulations.

What type of toilet paper can be flushed down the toilet?

Most standard toilet paper can be safely flushed down the toilet. However, some thicker or more absorbent toilet paper may not break down as easily and can cause clogs in your plumbing system.

Is it better to throw toilet paper in the trash instead of flushing it?

No, it is not recommended to throw toilet paper in the trash as this can create unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors. Flushing toilet paper down the toilet is the preferred and most hygienic method of disposal.

Can flushing too much toilet paper cause clogs?

Yes, flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper can cause clogs in your plumbing system. It is important to only use the necessary amount of toilet paper and to dispose of any excess paper in a waste bin.

What should I do if my toilet becomes clogged from flushing toilet paper?

If your toilet becomes clogged, you should stop flushing and try to unclog the toilet using a plunger. If this does not work, you may need to call a plumber to help resolve the issue.

Are there any alternatives to toilet paper that can be flushed down the toilet?

No, it is not recommended to flush any alternatives to toilet paper, such as wet wipes or paper towels, down the toilet as these items do not break down as easily and can cause clogs in your plumbing system.

Final Verdict

Now you get your answer on can you flush toilet paper in the toilet or not. So you see, there are a lot of perspectives and conditions that are the critical factors about whether you flush it or not!

After reading my guide, hopefully, you have a clear concept of this question. You have my information, and now it’s totally your personal choice to flush or not.

 All the best!