Nature calls: new law to stop use of plastic wet wipes
Wet wipes containing plastic will be banned across the UK to protect marine wildlife.
A collaborative response from Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be put in place to address the issue of marine litter.
The legislation to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic is expected to be ready by the end of 2024.
Scottish Water, a public body that focuses on preserving natural water in Scotland, said sewers in Scotland are clogged up with around 100 chokes a day with wet wipes being a major factor in causing flooding costing £200 an incident.
The organisation launched a Nature Calls campaign calling for public support to ban the product.
Simon Parsons, Director of Environment, Planning and Assurance for Scottish Water, said: “Nature Calls has led the way in demanding a ban on wet wipes made with plastic and we are delighted to see this progress on bringing forward new laws to prevent their sale and use.
“This will have a significant positive impact on our country’s sewers and our water environments so people can enjoy them without encountering the source of sewage related debris.”
3,000 customers signed the ban along with organisations Marine Conservation Society and Zero Waste Scotland.
Calum Duncan, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Marine Conservation Society said: “We have so many fantastic species and habitats around Scotland’s shores from the smallest sea slug to the mighty basking shark.
“All of them play a vital role in our ocean’s health, which is under threat from pollution, overfishing and climate change to name a few.
“Our Scottish Seas and the amazing wildlife that stays or visits there help regulate our climate. provide oxygen to breathe, food to eat and livelihoods.
Scottish Water said sewers in Scotland are clogged up with around 100 chokes a day with wet wipes being a major factor in causing flooding costing £200 an incident.
The public body added that more than £450,000 have been saved through a reduction of more than 5% in sewer choke incidents.
Duncan added: “With over 15,000 wet wipes found on Scottish beaches in 2023 we need to see as much action as possible to reduce this number.
“As well as this ban, we need as much support as possible to move to more reusable options and if you need to use single-use wet wipes, please make sure to put them in the bin and not flush them down the toilet!”
Scottish Water has teamed up with NHS Scotland to notify those of proper wet wipe disposal.
The organisation said 69% of people they surveyed would adopt different behaviour to wipe disposal and 74% said they were more aware that wipes could contain plastic.
The Marine Conservation Society is urging everyone to keep their politicians accountable, take part in cleaning litter and seaweed and jellyfish surveys.
Duncan said: “We know so many amazing sea creatures are under threat from other types of pollution such as microplastics, chemicals as well as entanglement and ingestion. There is something we can all do to help.”
Samantha Vega-Torres is a master’s student at Glasgow Caledonian University enrolled in the multimedia journalism program. She received her bachelor’s in communications with a concentration in journalism and media writing from Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts, USA.
