A new law banning the sale of plastic-containing wet wipes has been signed into law in England, aiming to tackle a persistent problem that has long plagued water companies: the blockage of sewer pipes by these wipes. The ban, set to come into effect in 2027, will align England’s regulations with those already in place across the rest of the UK. This legislative move targets wet wipes made with plastic, which do not disintegrate when flushed down toilets. Instead, they combine with oil and fat residues to form massive blockages in the sewer system known as “fatbergs,” costing water companies an estimated £200 million annually to clear.
Plastic wipes have been a notorious cause of sewer problems because they remain intact after flushing, unlike toilet paper that dissolves quickly. Fatbergs form when these wipes, mixed with grease and fat from kitchens, congeal and create enormous, solid masses that clog pipes and cause flooding. These blockages can become enormous; for example, just last month in west London, a fatberg weighing as much as eight double-decker buses was removed from a sewer. Specialists required over a month to break it down, highlighting the scale and complexity of the issue.
While many wet wipe brands have transitioned to making wipes from non-plastic, biodegradable materials, the government and water companies caution that these wipes should not be labeled “flushable.” Even the new non-plastic wipes do not break down quickly enough, posing a risk of similar blockages. Wet wipe manufacturers contacted by the BBC maintain that their non-plastic products have undergone rigorous testing and comply with all relevant standards. Despite this, concerns remain about their environmental impact and suitability for flushing.
The wet wipe market in the UK has grown steadily over the years. According to government figures from 2023, UK consumers purchased around 32 billion wipes annually, with about 12 billion of these containing plastic. If all these plastic wipes were laid out flat, they would cover approximately 2,200 football pitches, illustrating the vast scale of plastic wipe use and disposal.
Though the wet wipe ban is welcomed by water industry representatives, they also point out its limitations. UK companies will still be permitted to manufacture and export plastic wipes, and such products will remain available for purchase from pharmacies both in-store (usually behind the counter) and online. Additionally, certain businesses such as hotels will be allowed to buy plastic wipes without restriction. This means that while the ban targets general consumer sales, plastic wipes will not be eliminated completely from the market.
The medical sector successfully lobbied for an exemption from the ban. Their argument centers on the fact that non-plastic wipes tend to absorb more of the disinfectants and detergents impregnated within them, which could compromise patient safety. This exemption ensures that medical wipes containing plastic will still be available for healthcare use.
The ongoing problem is vividly illustrated at facilities such as the Minworth Wastewater Treatment works in the Midlands, operated by Severn Trent. Serving over two million people across Birmingham and the Black Country, Minworth processes about 10 tonnes of wet wipes every day. Grant Mitchell, Severn Trent’s head of blockages, described the situation as “a nightmare.” At the treatment works, “un-flushables” like wet wipes, along with other debris such as dead rats and even a rubber duck, are filtered out of sewage. Mitchell explains that wet wipes are particularly problematic because they are designed not to break down like toilet paper. This durability allows them to clump together with fats and oils, creating fatbergs that can cause sewer flooding.
Emma Hardy, the Minister for Water and Flooding, also visited Minworth and emphasized the importance of the new ban. She noted that many people underestimate the problems caused by wet wipes and expressed confidence that the legislation would make a significant difference in reducing sewer blockages.
Despite many brands marketing their wipes as “flushable” and environmentally friendly, doubts remain about whether these wipes should truly be disposed of down the toilet. Scientists are actively researching how quickly biodegradable wipes break down under real-world conditions. Daniel Jolly, a researcher at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, demonstrated in a laboratory setting how these wipes respond to a simulated toilet flush. Unlike toilet paper, which quickly breaks into small fibers, these wipes remain largely intact because they are manufactured to be stronger and more durable.
Jolly’s research extends beyond the lab; he has conducted field tests along the banks of the River Yare to observe how quickly plastic-free wipes degrade