The United Kingdom Government has signed into law a ban on the sale of plastic wet wipes, marking a major step forward in tackling plastic pollution entering the country’s waterways.
Wet wipes containing plastic are a growing source of pollution, with a recent survey showing an average of 20 wet wipes littering every 100 metres of beach across the UK. When flushed, they can break down into microplastics that poison wildlife and enter the food chain.
Wet wipes incorrectly disposed of are a common problem across Australia’s wastewater network. In 2021 Sydney Water took up the fight with the launch of a new campaign.
Yarra Valley Water in Victoria revealed unusual items recovered from Melbourne sewers as part of a social media campaign to change people’s habits. The water utility spends about $1 million a year to remove objects, fats and wet wipes from sewers after they have caused blockages.
The UK ban follows overwhelming public support, with 95 per cent of respondents to government consultation agreeing with the proposals.
While the new law targets wipes containing plastic, all wet wipes contribute to blockages and pollution when flushed. UK Water Industry Research found that wet wipes contribute to 94 per cent of sewer blockages, which cost water companies around £200 million to fix each year.
Water Minister Emma Hardy has written to manufacturers urging that product labelling for wet wipes reflect the government’s message that wet wipes should be binned and not flushed.
Plastic-free wet wipes are readily available, and several retailers have already stopped selling wet wipes containing plastic. Businesses will have until spring 2027 to transition to the new rules.
The legislation bans the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic in England. The Welsh Government has already legislated, with the Northern Ireland Executive and Scottish Government expected to legislate by the end of the year.
Legislation will be followed by an 18-month transition period, with the ban expected to come into force in spring 2027.
The ban applies only to wet wipes containing plastic, not to all types of wet wipes. A further ban on manufacture will be considered once the ban on supply and sale has come into force.
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