Ban on wet wipes?- edited by Aishee Biswas

The majority of wet wipes will soon be prohibited in England, according to Environment Minister Therese Coffey, as part of an effort to combat water pollution. The ban on wipes made from plastic materials is anticipated to be implemented within the next year, following a public consultation.

 

The prohibition on plastic-based wet wipes is a component of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing water quality in England , where no rivers or waterways are regarded as pristine. However, the plan has been criticized by opposition and environmental groups as being inadequate.

According to Water UK, which represents the water industry, wet wipes that are flushed down toilets account for 93% of sewer blockages, including so-called fatbergs, and cost approximately £100 million annually to remove. While roughly 90% of wipes contain plastic, there are now some plastic-free alternatives available for purchase. Because the plastics in the wipes do not break down, they eventually become entangled and stick together, preventing sewage from flowing through pipes.

In 2018,  the government announced plans to eliminate plastic waste, including wet wipes . In 2021, a government consultation on banning wet wipes showed that 96% of respondents supported the idea. However, earlier this year, the government decided against a ban after another consultation.

In Wales, a proposed ban on plastic in wet wipes has not yet been put into effect, and the Scottish government consulted on a ban but has not taken further action.

Some companies, such as Boots and Tesco, have already stopped selling wet wipes containing plastic.

The wet wipes ban is part of a larger initiative called Plan for Water, which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has introduced to improve water quality in England. The plan includes a potential ban on certain forever chemicals or PFAS, as well as addressing pollution from farming and runoff from road traffic.

A parliamentary report from 2022 has revealed that the most common source of river pollution is intensive farming, with chicken farms being a significant contributor. In response to this issue, the government announced on Sunday that water companies could face unlimited fines if they release untreated sewage into rivers and seas without justifiable cause. Shocking figures reveal that there have been an average of 825 sewage spills per day into England's waterways over the past year.