Don't Flush It!

Green Mountain Water Environmental Association (GMWEA) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting awareness of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater issues, and to supporting the professionals who work to protect Vermont’s water resources.

Vermont Water-wise Communities Series

GMWEA created a series of educational brochures in an effort to inform all Vermonters on how to protect their own health, keep their septic and sewer systems functioning, and keep toxins out of wells and natural waterways.

Don’t Flush It, Volume 1: Cloggers!

This brochure advises people not to flush or pour fats, oils, greases, and a range of solid materials down their toilets or sinks.

Don’t Flush It, Volume 2: DRUGS! (and Personal Care Products)

This brochure recommends ways residents can reduce the volume of damaging man-made chemicals they flush or pour into their septic tanks and public sewer systems. Knowing proper disposal practices for pharmaceuticals and personal care products will help protect humans and aquatic wildlife from the harm these contaminants cause.

Don’t Flush It, Volume 3: Lawn & Garden Poisons!

This brochure suggests easy ways Vermonters can cut their use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers that run off into waterways and cause so much environmental damage and endanger human health.

Don’t Flush It, Volume 4: House & Garden Hazards!

This brochure reminds people that many common household substances are, in fact, hazardous. Cleaners, disinfectants, paints, thinners, waxes, de-greasers, bleaches, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, and dozens more are too often used unwisely or discarded into toilets, sinks, storm drains, or soil. It also includes contact information for all of Vermont’s solid waste management entities, so people can safely dispose of unwanted, excess, or expired products. It also provides recipes for safe, homemade alternatives to commercial tub, sink, or toilet cleaners, stain removers, mildew killers, lime/mineral removers, drain decloggers, and more.

For more information regarding the brochures or Green Mountain Water Environment Association, please visit their website.