England to ban single-use plastic wet wipes
The ban follows overwhelming public support in a government consultation on the proposals.
A recent survey shows that an average of 20 wet wipes litter every 100m of beach across the UK. When flushed, they can break down into microplastics, and UK water industry research found that wet wipes contribute to 94% of sewer blockages.
Water Minister Emma Hardy has written to manufacturers urging that product labelling for wet wipes reflects the government’s message that wet wipes should be binned and not flushed.
The new 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.
Businesses in England will have until Spring 2027 to transition to the new rules.
A further ban on manufacture will be considered once the ban on supply and sale has come into force.
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