So long, plastic wet wipes - but should we be flushing the new ones?
Summary
A law banning the sale of plastic wet wipes in England will be implemented in 2027 to help reduce sewer blockages caused by fatbergs. Although non-plastic wipes are marketed as "flushable," water companies caution they can still cause pipe blockages. The wet wipes market continues to grow, but with some exemptions, such as for medical use, plastic wipes will still be available in certain circumstances.Key Facts
- England will ban the sale of plastic wet wipes starting in 2027.
- Plastic wet wipes contribute to sewer blockages known as fatbergs, costing water companies around £200 million a year.
- Non-plastic wipes, although marketed as "flushable," can still cause blockages.
- Approximately 32 billion wet wipes were sold in the UK in 2023, with 12 billion containing plastic.
- UK businesses can still manufacture and export plastic wet wipes.
- Certain sectors, like the medical field, are exempt from the ban due to safety concerns.
- Minworth Wastewater Treatment works in the Midlands removes 10 tonnes of wet wipes daily.
- Fatbergs can consist of wet wipes, fat, and oil and require significant effort to remove from sewers.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.