A report published in the British newspaper “Daily Mail” indicated that the British government is considering banning wet wipes soon, as they are bringing a toxic tide of plastic waste to Britain, as part of government plans to clean rivers and seas..
The proposals also included a request to put labels on the packaging warning the user not to flush the tissue down the toilet, because it clogs sewers, pollutes rivers and creates waste that destroys wildlife..
The report indicated that more than 90 percent of the 11 billion wet wipes used in the UK annually contain plastic, according to MPs..
This week, the British government is set to announce a call for evidence on whether plastic wipes should face an outright ban with manufacturers forced to replace them with sustainable alternatives.
Ministers will also seek views on whether tobacco companies should pay for cleaning cigarette butts, while an advisory on banning single-use plastic cutlery, plates and cups will be officially announced this week..
On the other hand, wet wipes are believed to be responsible for 93% of clogged sewers, which cost the government £100m a year to disinfect.
A source from the Department of the Environment said: “Daily Mail readers know all too well how much single-use plastic has done to the world, and now is the time to tackle the scourge of plastic wet wipes.”
The source added that a ban on plastic wet wipes may be imposed within 18 months.
Earlier this month, Labor MP Flor Anderson introduced a members’ bill calling for a ban on plastic wet wipes, noting that the problem is growing as the Sea Conservation Society has reportedly seen an increase from 1.7 wipes per 100 meters of shore to 18 Wet wipes from 2005 to 2020.
“When these plastics enter our local marine environment and water systems in significant quantities, the damage is very devastating. Globally, one hundred million animals die every year from plastic waste alone,” she added.
London sewer wet wipes
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