Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (a) Over the past several years, consumer demand for premoistened, disposable wipe products, including baby wipes, surface cleaning wipes, hand sanitizing wipes, and makeup removal wipes, has significantly increased; (b) These wipe products are composed, entirely or in part, of petrochemical-derived fibers that were never designed to be flushed down toilets; (c) Consumer confusion has resulted in millions of these nonflushable wipes being improperly disposed of by being flushed down toilets; (d) Wipes that were not designed to be flushed do not break down like toilet paper, so when improperly disposed of in toilets, the wipes often cause sewer blockage and overflow, clog pipes and mechanical equipment, release plastic materials and wastewater into waterways, and block private drain lines, which can result in flooded homes and businesses; (e) The National Association of Clean Water Agencies has determined that United States municipalities and wastewater treatment providers incur costs in excess of one billion dollars annually on maintenance to remove clogs caused by wipes; and (f) Clear "Do Not Flush" labeling on the packages for wipes that are not designed to be flushed is a critical step in helping consumers practice responsible flushing habits, which in turn leads to healthier homes and communities and the protection of the environment, waterways, and public infrastructure used for the collection, transport, and treatment of wastewater.