Plastic wet wipes are set to be banned in Spring 2027, the UK Government has announced.
The ban, which was previously announced under the Conservative Government, will be followed by an 18-month transition period.
A 2023 consultation found there was overwhelming public support for a ban, with 95% of respondents agreeing with the proposals.
Commenting on the announcement, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “This ban will put an end to plastic wet wipes which choke our sewers, litter our beaches and poison wildlife.”
“It’s another example of the government taking strong, decisive action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.”
“But we all have a role to play. Every wet wipe flushed down the toilet risks blocking sewers, causing pollution and pushing up household bills. The solution is simple: bin wet wipes, don’t flush them.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says Water Minister Emma Hardy has written to manufacturers to urge that product labelling explains that wet wipes should be binned and not flushed.
In 2022, high street chemist Boots is stopping sales of all wet wipes that contain plastic fibres and replacing them with plant-based biodegradable options.
Steve Ager, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Boots, said: “We believe that healthy communities need a healthy planet, so we are pleased to see the government taking action, as a ban on wipes containing plastic will have a much bigger impact than retailers acting alone.”