In a move to combat plastic pollution, the UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at banning wet wipes that contain plastic. The announcement was made by the Environment Secretary, marking a significant step in the UK's environmental strategy. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) plans to roll out the legislation for England before the summer recess, with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales expected to follow suit by autumn. This coordinated approach aims to ensure the ban is in place across the UK swiftly.

Plastic-containing wet wipes have a detrimental impact on ecosystems and human health, as per a research. These wipes degrade into microplastics that can accumulate biological and chemical pollutants, posing a risk to wildlife and humans alike. A recent survey found an average of 20 wet wipes per 100 metres on UK beaches, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue, Defra said in a press release.

The proposed ban received strong public support, with 95 per cent of consultation respondents backing the move. The legislation, to be enacted via secondary legislation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, reflects the overwhelming consensus for urgent action.

In line with the Earth Day 2024 theme of 'Planet vs. Plastics,' the government has also announced an 18-month transition period once the legislation passes. This period will allow businesses adequate time to adjust their practices. While the ban will focus on the sale and distribution of these products, it will not extend to their manufacture, aligning with other recent bans on single-use plastics.

The government has also highlighted certain exemptions, ensuring that wet wipes containing plastic will still be available for essential uses, such as medical disinfectants, where no viable alternatives exist. These exemptions will be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain necessary and appropriate.

Environment secretary Steve Barclay said: “Wet wipes containing plastic are polluting our waterways and causing microplastics to enter the environment. Defra will introduce legislation before the summer recess to crack down on this unnecessary source of pollution, following our successful single-use carrier bag charge and ban on microbeads in personal care products.   

“I have been clear that a step change is needed to protect our waterways from pollution. The ban builds on a raft of actions already taken to protect our waterways and hold water companies accountable, including accelerating investment, putting water company fines back into the environment, and quadrupling the number of inspections of water company sites.”