The UK plans on banning wet wipes
Wet wipes are the latest victim of Michael Gove’s crackdown of non-biodegradable waste, with the Secretary of State for Environment aiming to massively reduce the amount of single-use plastic in the UK.
Wet wipes make up for 93% of sewer blockages in the UK as, despite many warnings and campaigns to end this, people still flush them down the toilet. They also contribute hugely to the production of “fat-bergs”, large clumps of waste that clog sewers- 12 of which are in London alone. The microfibres that make up the wipes are then released into the sea, where they cause further harm by killing fish and other marine life. Some also believe these wipes are changing the shape of the Thames.
Details on the law
A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has spoken on the matter, saying: “As part of our 25-year environment plan, we have pledged to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste, and that includes single-use products like wet wipes.
“We are continuing to work with manufacturers and retailers of wet wipes to make sure labelling on packaging is clear and people know how to dispose of them properly – and we support the industry’s efforts to make their customers aware of this important issue.”
This means that manufacturers must now develop wipes without using plastic if they want to keep selling them.
Time for change
Gove is making this decision after environmental group Thames21 discovered 5453 wet wipes in a 116m² stretch of beach by the river during a cleaning operation.
The chief executive of Thames21, Debbie Leach, said on the subject: “As a country, action is being taken about other products which contain plastic such as bottles and cotton buds. We now need to widen our attention to include wet wipes and sanitary products which contain plastic and are being flushed into our rivers.”
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