Official Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign

Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign for Sanitation System Protection

The Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign is an IMO warning sign used aboard ships to prevent items such as wipes, sanitary products, food waste, and packaging from being flushed into the vessel’s marine sanitation system. Unlike shore-based plumbing, a ship’s sewage treatment plant and pipework are compact, purpose-built systems that block easily when foreign material is introduced, often requiring difficult and unpleasant maintenance work to clear.

When to Use This Sign

Install the Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign in every crew and passenger toilet compartment aboard the vessel, particularly on passenger ships where guests may be unfamiliar with the limitations of a marine sewage system compared to shore-based plumbing. It is also useful in crew accommodation areas as a routine reminder that supports smooth operation of the vessel’s sewage treatment plant.

Design and Materials

This sign is printed on self-adhesive film in your choice of material – non-glow vinyl, or DNV Wheelmark certified Class C / Class D photoluminescent film. It carries a long-duration afterglow, remaining visible in darkness or during a blackout after normal light exposure. The sign is waterproof and resistant to saltwater exposure, with a glossy, wipe-clean finish suited to the humid, frequently cleaned environment of a marine toilet compartment.

Installation and Use

The Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign uses a peel-and-stick self-adhesive backing, allowing installation directly onto cubicle doors, walls, or panels above the toilet without tools or drilling. Clean and dry the mounting surface before application to ensure maximum adhesion. Position the sign where it will be seen immediately by anyone using the toilet, such as at eye level on the inside of the cubicle door.

Compliance and Standards

This sign complies with IMO Resolution A.1116(30) governing graphical symbols for shipboard safety signage and supports compliance with MARPOL Annex IV requirements for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships, with further guidance on shipboard hygiene and sanitation available from Safe Work Australia. These standards ensure the sign’s wording is internationally recognised, supporting consistent sanitation system care across the maritime industry.

Fitting Into a Vessel’s Broader Maintenance and Compliance Plan

A clearly displayed do not throw foreign articles into toilet sign works alongside a vessel’s planned maintenance system to reduce unplanned sewage treatment plant blockages, which can otherwise disrupt sanitation service across an entire accommodation block. Port state control inspections routinely check that sanitation-related signage is present, legible, and correctly positioned in toilet compartments as part of a vessel’s overall hygiene and pollution-prevention record.

Ordering Information

This Do Not Throw Foreign Articles Into Toilet Sign is supplied under product code IP0074. It forms part of Safety Sign Hub’s full IMO Posters range, covering the complete set of IMO-compliant prohibition, warning, and information signage used across marine vessels, offshore installations, and port facilities. Contact Safety Sign Hub for bulk ordering or custom sign requirements.

This do not throw foreign articles into toilet sign helps protect onboard plumbing and sewage treatment systems from blockages caused by improper waste disposal. Browse our full range of Prohibition Signs for more IMO-compliant maritime safety signage.