What Not to Flush or Pour Down the Drain

Many everyday items should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain. Several items, including products labelled “flushable” or “biodegradable” do not dissolve. Flushing or pouring the wrong items down the drain can:

  • clog or damage pipes in your home and the City’s sewer system
  • increase the risk of sewer backups and basement flooding
  • damage wastewater treatment plant equipment
  • pollute local rivers, streams and Lake Ontario
  • harm aquatic plants and animals

To help protect Toronto’s sewer system and the environment, do not flush or pour these items down the drain:

  • hygiene products such as wipes, sanitary napkins/liners, tampons, condoms, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers and rags
  • fats, oils and cooking grease
  • medication
  • household hazardous waste such as paint, pesticides and cleaning products
  • car and garage products such as motor oil and antifreeze

If you see a spill entering the environment or the sewer system, contact 311 immediately.

Find out how to properly dispose of common items and materials below.

Many personal care and household products do not break down in water and can cause sewer blockages.

Product How to Dispose
Wipes of any kind, including baby, cleaning and bathroom
(even those labelled "flushable" and "biodegradable")		 Garbage
Tampons and sanitary napkins/liners Green Bin
Condoms Garbage
Cotton swabs Garbage
Dental floss Garbage
Facial tissues Green Bin
Paper towels Green Bin

Fats, oils and grease can cool, harden and stick to the inside pipes. Over time, they build up and cause blockages in private plumbing and City sewer pipes.

Common sources

  • Meat and bacon drippings
  • Lard, shortening, cooking oil, butter and margarine
  • Sauces, salad dressings, soups and gravies
  • Dairy products such as milk and cream
  • Sandwich spreads
  • Food scraps and baked goods

How to dispose of fats, oils and grease

  • Let grease cool and harden, then place it in your Green Bin.
  • Wipe small amounts of grease from pots and pans with paper towel before washing and put the paper towel in your Green Bin.
  • Use a drain strainer or basket to catch food scraps and other solids and empty them into your Green Bin.
  • Take large amounts of cooking oil or grease to a City Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day event in your area.
  • Request a Toxic Taxi pickup for 10 to 50 litres of cooking oil.

    Grease traps for food businesses, mobile food vendors and child care centres

    Under the Sewers By-law, it is mandatory for food service establishments to install and maintain a grease trap (interceptor) on fixtures and drains that discharge wastewater. This includes sinks for washing dishes, drains serving cooking equipment and self-cleaning exhaust hoods.

    Grease traps help prevent fats, oils and grease from entering the sewer system.

    Never flush medication down the toilet or pour it down the drain. Medication that enters the sewer system can harm the environment and aquatic life.

    How to dispose of medication

    Return unused or expired medication to your local pharmacy for free disposal.

    You can also drop off medication at a City Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day event.

    Household hazardous waste should never be poured down a sink, toilet or storm drain. This includes:

    • car and garage products such as antifreeze, motor oil and windshield washer fluid
    • household products including cleaners, bleach and disinfectants
    • paints including any solvents, removers and glues
    • personal care products such as nail polish remover, perfume and aftershave
    • pesticides and garden chemicals

    How to dispose of household hazardous waste

    Take household hazardous waste to a City Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day event.

    You can also request a Toxic Taxi pickup for quantities between 10 to 50 litres.
    Date modified: October 2, 2026