Can you flush paper towels down the toilet?
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Can you flush paper towels down the toilet? Paper towels should not be flushed down the toilet. Manufacturers design them to remain usable while absorbing water, so they do not break down in drains the way toilet paper does. As a result, they can remain in pipes and contribute to blockages. After use, dispose of them in a waste bin.
This rule applies to both folded hand towels and paper towels in rolls. The way dispensers dispense them does not change how you should dispose of them.
To learn which types of paper towels are available and how to choose them for a commercial facility, read our guide: Paper towels in commercial facilities: Everything you need to know about types, savings, and hygiene.
Why don’t paper towels break down like toilet paper?
Paper towels need to retain enough strength so they do not tear as soon as they come into contact with wet hands. Toilet paper serves a different purpose: it needs to break down in water after flushing. Fibre composition and the manufacturing process affect how both products behave, but we cannot claim that every paper towel contains the same additives or that manufacturers make every type of toilet paper from short fibres.
What does the ISO 12625-17:2021 standard show?
ISO 12625-17:2021 describes a method for testing the disintegration of tissue paper and tissue products during agitation in water. The standard does not apply only to toilet paper. It allows testers to assess how a sample behaves under specific conditions, but simply referring to the standard does not prove that a particular paper towel can be flushed down the toilet.
What problems can flushing paper towels down the toilet cause?
Because paper towels do not break down like toilet paper, they can remain in the drain and combine with other waste to contribute to blockages. In a commercial facility, this can leave a toilet out of service until someone resolves the problem and may also result in intervention costs. The risk remains even if a paper towel passes through the toilet bowl successfully, because that does not necessarily mean it has passed through the entire drainage system.
How should you dispose of used paper towels in commercial facilities?
Place a waste bin near the hand-drying area and empty it regularly. If users often throw paper towels into the toilet, a short notice in a visible location can help make the rule clear. Staff who refill dispensers and maintain toilets should also check whether the bin is accessible and has enough free space for use.
A properly equipped toilet also requires the right place for disposing of paper towels. Our team can help you choose dispensers and waste bins to suit the layout of your space.
Table: Disposing of paper products after use
| Product | Where to dispose of it | What matters for a commercial facility |
| Toilet paper | In the toilet | Use it for its intended purpose. |
| Folded hand towel | In a waste bin | Place the bin near the dispenser. |
| Paper towel roll or autocut paper towel | In a waste bin | Ensure the bin has enough capacity between emptying cycles. |
| Kitchen paper towel | In a waste bin | Do not flush it down the toilet, even when soaked with water. |
Can you flush paper towels down the toilet- FAQ
Is it enough for the paper towel packaging to say “biodegradable”?
No. Biodegradability does not mean that the paper towel will break down quickly enough during flushing and while passing through pipes. You should not rely on this label when deciding whether to flush it; dispose of paper towels in a waste bin.
What if someone has already thrown a paper towel into the toilet?
If the paper towel is still visible and you can remove it easily without coming into contact with wastewater, dispose of it in a waste bin. If the water drains slowly or its level rises towards the rim of the toilet bowl, do not flush the toilet again. Instead, inform the person responsible for maintenance.
Does the same rule apply to a facility with a septic tank?
Yes. You should not flush paper towels down toilets connected to a septic system either. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises flushing only human waste and toilet paper into such systems and specifically lists paper towels among the products that should not be flushed.
Can used paper towels go into a paper recycling container?
Do not automatically place them with paper for recycling. The correct disposal method depends on what has contaminated the towels and what the local waste collector accepts. If the facility does not have a dedicated collection system that accepts them, dispose of them in the designated waste bin.
Paper towels have their proper place. When you also position the waste bin correctly, users do not have to think about what to do next. Arrange your space down to the last detail.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter at LUU.
She specialises in creating professional content in the fields of professional hygiene, paper products, dispensers, and facility management.
The professional articles on this blog result from detailed research, an analytical approach, and editorial work, while following current SEO standards and best practices for Google Search and AI search (SGE/AI Overview).
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