Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is pushing residents to put the skids on the toilet paper hoarding frenzy and re-direct energy into considering just what is being flushed into the Hastings' sewerage network.

The old adage "if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" remains wise advice. You not only save water while the region remains on level 3 water restrictions, but it also eases the pressure on the old pipeworks.

Toilet paper has become, quite perplexingly, a hot commodity and shoppers without a square to spare are resorting to other cleansing options including baby wipes, thick paper towel and tissues.

But be warned, these alternative options might do the job at the porcelain end but have the potential to cause major back-ups further down the pipe line.

The only things that should go on the final journey to the sewerage treatment plant are the three Ps - pee, poo and paper - toilet paper that is.

"Wet wipes are not biodegradable - there is no such thing as a flushable wipe as they don't break down quickly enough. Flushed wet wipes can block pipes, which can lead to sewage overflows into homes or creeks and a costly plumbing bill," council says.

And cotton tips/buds are a no-go. They cause significant sewer blockages along the network and equipment failure at sewage treatment plants by jamming pumping equipment.

Here's what you must NOT flush down the toilet:

All these items should be wrapped and disposed of in your red bin.

Medications should be taken to your local chemist for safe disposal.

Syringes should be placed in an appropriate syringe disposal unit and disposed of at an approved location.

And if you need to flush the family fish, think again. There's a space for them in your green bin.

Failed sewage pumps can cost up to $500 to fix while blockages at home could set you back anywhere over $200.

Clog up the sewer mains and the rotten egg smell that will start to ooze out of your drains won't be as bad as the $1000 to $7000 bill to fix it.

Unclench and read more at council's website.