Are Biodegradable Wipes Really Flushable?

【Summary Description】 In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards and the enhancement of environmental awareness, biodegradable wet wipes have gradually appeared on the market and have attracted widespread attention from consumers. Among them, a question that has attracted much attention is: Can biodegradable wet wipes really be flushed down the sewer? This article will explore this issue in depth.

1. Understanding biodegradable wipes
1. Definition and concept
Biodegradable wipes are made of materials that can be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment within a certain period of time. Such wipes have less impact on the environment. These materials are usually derived from natural resources such as plant fibers, and are renewable and environmentally friendly.
2. Main materials
The main materials commonly used for biodegradable wipes are mostly plant-based fibers. For example, some wet wipes use virgin wood pulp as raw material. Virgin wood pulp is extracted from trees through a series of processes. It has good toughness and strong water absorption, which can ensure the normal use of wet wipes. In addition, cellulose fibers are also commonly used. Cellulose fibers can be derived from plants such as bamboo and cotton. These fibers can be degraded by microorganisms in soil or water environments, gradually decomposed into simple substances such as carbon dioxide and water, and return to the natural cycle.

2. Flushability of biodegradable wipes
1. Principle of flushability
The flushability of biodegradable wipes mainly depends on its material properties. As mentioned above, materials such as virgin wood pulp and cellulose fibers have certain water solubility and disintegration. When flushed into the toilet, these materials will gradually break down and decompose under the impact of the water flow and the friction in the sewer pipes. Compared with traditional non-degradable wipes made of plastic-based materials, degradable wipes are easier to decompose and carried away with the water flow, reducing the risk of sewer blockage.
2. Verify the flushability through experiments
In order to verify the flushability of degradable wipes, people have carried out many studies and experiments. For example, some research institutions simulated the sewer environment in the laboratory, put degradable wipes into a device similar to the sewer pipe, and then passed a certain amount of water flow to observe the changes in the wipes. The results showed that in a short period of time, the degradable wipes will begin to disintegrate, and after a period of time, they can be broken down into small pieces and flushed away with the water flow. In addition, people have also conducted some actual household surveys. Many consumers who use degradable wipes reported that there was no toilet blockage after flushing the wipes into the toilet, which also provided actual evidence for the flushability of degradable wipes.

3. Advantages of biodegradable wipes
1. Environmental benefits
The most significant advantage of biodegradable wipes is their positive impact on the environment. Traditional non-biodegradable wipes, especially those made of plastic-based materials, may take hundreds of years to decompose in the natural environment. During this long period of time, they will accumulate in landfills, rivers and oceans, causing serious pollution to the soil and water environment. In contrast, biodegradable wipes can decompose in a relatively short period of time, usually within a few months to a year under suitable environmental conditions. This greatly reduces the amount of solid waste and helps protect the ecological environment. In some areas where water pollution is serious due to plastic waste, the promotion of biodegradable wipes can effectively reduce the entry of similar plastic pollutants into water bodies.
2. Hygiene and cleaning performance
Degradable wipes also perform well in hygiene and cleaning, and are suitable for a variety of cleaning scenarios, such as personal hygiene cleaning, household cleaning, and baby care. In terms of personal hygiene, for example, wet biodegradable wipes clean the skin more thoroughly than dry toilet paper, especially in some areas that are difficult to clean with toilet paper, such as the anal area. Some biodegradable wipes also contain antibacterial ingredients, which can effectively kill bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, bringing a more hygienic cleaning effect. In terms of household cleaning, biodegradable kitchen wipes can quickly remove oil stains on kitchen utensils. Their special texture and cleaning ingredients make them better than traditional cleaning rags, and also avoid the problem of traditional rags easily breeding bacteria.
3. Convenience of use
In addition to the advantages of environmental protection and hygiene, biodegradable wipes also bring great convenience to users. Its flushability means that users do not need to worry about how to deal with used wipes. After use, they can be flushed directly into the toilet, which is more convenient than traditional wipes that need to be thrown into the trash can. This is especially obvious when used in public toilets. In addition, biodegradable wipes are usually packaged individually or sealed, which is easy to carry. Whether traveling, working or at home, users can use them easily at any time to meet various cleaning needs.

4. Deep integration of biodegradable wet wipes and circular economy​
At a time when the concept of circular economy is becoming more and more popular, biodegradable wet wipes are becoming a typical representative of this concept. Some companies have begun to explore the full life cycle development model of "coming from nature and returning to nature". During the production process, some manufacturers collect the scraps produced by the manufacture of wet wipes and convert them into organic fertilizers through fermentation technology, which are used to grow plant raw materials needed for the production of wet wipes, forming a closed loop of resource recycling. Establishing a small ecological farm near the factory and using production waste to cultivate organic crops not only reduces waste emissions, but also achieves self-sufficiency in some raw materials, reduces production costs, and provides a new model for the sustainable development of the industry.

5. Company Introduction
With more than 20 years of experience in the wet wipes industry, Zhejiang Aijian Hygiene Products Technology Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002. It has always driven development with "material innovation" and "environmental responsibility" to build full-chain competitiveness in the field of biodegradable wet wipes. Faced with the industry question of "Are biodegradable wet wipes really flushable?"
In terms of material research and development, Aijian breaks through traditional limitations and combines natural materials such as bamboo fiber and corn fiber with functional materials. After process treatment, the wet wipes start to disintegrate in 30 seconds after contacting water, and finally decompose into harmless substances in a microbial environment. Its disintegration speed is 40% faster than that of ordinary biodegradable wet wipes, solving the problem of "flushing ≠ degradation" and passing ISO 14001 and other certifications.
In addition, Aijian integrates the concept of environmental protection throughout the entire industry chain. Cooperating with universities, production waste is converted into organic fertilizer, and packaging uses biodegradable film. It has obtained ISO 9001 and other certifications, and established the image of "China's environmental protection smart manufacturing" in the global market.
Aijian has used its 20 years of industry experience to prove that true environmentally friendly products are the unity of technology, scenarios and responsibilities. Whether for daily use or professional fields, Aijian biodegradable wipes are leading the industry towards a green future with the advantages of "no worries about flushing and thorough degradation".

6. Conclusion
In summary, biodegradable wet wipes can indeed be flushed down the drain. Their flushability stems from the characteristics of biodegradable materials, which can disintegrate in the sewer environment and be carried away by the water flow. In addition, biodegradable wet wipes have many advantages, including significant environmental benefits, excellent hygiene and cleaning performance, and high convenience in use. With the continuous improvement of people's environmental awareness and the continuous innovation and development of the industry, biodegradable wet wipes will play an increasingly important role in people's daily lives. Companies like Zhejiang Huashun Hygiene Products Technology Co., Ltd. are also driving the development of the industry with professional research and development, high-quality production and diversified products. We should actively support and promote the use of biodegradable wet wipes to jointly create a more environmentally friendly and convenient living environment.