Stop the Clog! Protect Your Pipes from Wipes and FOG

We need your help to protect our pipes in our Regional offices and in York Region homes. Every year, York Region spends more than $1 million removing solid fats, oils and grease (FOG), single-use wipes and sanitary products from your pipes. Repairing sewage blockages in your town or city can also lead to increased water rates.

These clogs cause costly damage to our communities and pollute the natural environment. Did you know that when solid FOG is mixed with wipes and other non-flushable items, it creates a blockage in the sewer system?

When you’re cooking at home, remember to dispose of FOG in your green bin, not down your drain. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are things like meat fats, butter, margarine, all types of cooking oils, gravy, lard, shortening, marinades, sauces, salad dressing and sandwich spreads such as peanut butter. 

When you’re in the bathroom, remember toilet paper is the only product that you can be sure is safe to flush. You may notice some wipes packages say they’re “flushable” but there are only a few that can be flushed without harming the sewer system. Learn if your wipes can be flushed.   

When in doubt, throw wipes in the green bin. Remember to never flush condoms, cotton balls, masks, medicine, menstruation products, paper towel and plastics. Return unused and expired medicine to your pharmacy, not down the drain. 

If a blockage occurs in your home or office, you may notice your toilet overflowing or not flushing properly. You may also find sewage backing up in your toilet, bathtub or shower. Make sure what you flush does not come back up.  

Learn more at york.ca/ProtectYourPipes