Please Don't Flush Paper Towels: Oswego Village Staff

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego village government put out a press release on Friday afternoon, detailing changes to the village's waste management protocols. Namely, garbage haulers will not collect trash that is loose in cans, or collect specialty items like construction debris or electronics. However, yard waste will still be collected as scheduled, beginning in April.

The release also urges residents not to flush heavy paper products like sanitary wipes or paper towels. Besides toilet paper, which is designed to break down in water, these paper products can clog pipes and lead to backups. This is good to keep in mind now, especially, with the village's public maintenance personnel currently prioritizing emergency situations.

Here is the full text of the village's message:

OSWEGO, IL – The Village of Oswego is asking residents to take extra caution with garbage service and our sewer system during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Garbage in carts and bags only
Groot Industries, the Village’s contracted waste hauler, announced Friday that garbage haulers have been instructed to collect garbage and recycling placed in carts and bagged trash only, in order to protect workers from contracting and spreading COVID-19.

• Haulers will not collect trash that is loose in cans. They will also not collect bulk items, electronics, construction debris, or appliances until further notice. Put your trash in a garbage cart or bagged in a trash can.
• Haulers will not return to collect any trash that is missed or not put at the curb on time.
• Recycling will be limited to only items that fit in recycling carts. Nothing placed outside of the cart will be collected.
• Yard waste will still be collected as scheduled beginning the first week of April.

Don’t flush it. Wipes clog pipes!
Low on toilet paper? Disinfecting everything? We get it. But flushing disinfecting wipes, sanitary wipes, paper towels, napkins and other toilet paper substitutes can clog sanitary sewers, leading to backups – including in your home.

Despite their advertisements, flushable cleaning wipes, including those used to disinfect your home, are not flushable and do not break down. Throw them in the garbage. Then make sure the garbage is properly bagged or in a garbage cart.

For more information on the Village of Oswego’s critical operations during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit our site, http://www.oswegoil.org/covid-19.aspx.

For information on keeping yourself, your family, and the Oswego community healthy, visit the Kendall County Health Department’s website at http://www.kendallhealth.org/community-health/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/.

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