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A new law banning the sale of plastic-containing wet wipes in England is set to be enacted later today, addressing a long-standing problem faced by water companies. The legislation, which will take effect in 2027, aligns England with existing regulations across the rest of the UK. Plastic wet wipes do not break down when flushed, often combining with grease and oil to form “fatbergs” that clog sewers. Water companies estimate that clearing such blockages costs around £200 million annually.
Though the majority of wet wipes sold in the UK are now made from non-plastic materials, both the government and water industry experts caution against labelling any wipes as “flushable.” These products, even when plastic-free, can still cause issues in the sewer system. Manufacturers of non-plastic wipes have maintained that their products undergo rigorous testing and comply with regulatory standards, asserting their wipes are indeed flushable.
The problem of fatbergs can be serious and costly. A huge mass weighing 100 tonnes, equivalent to eight double-decker buses, was recently removed from a west London sewer, requiring a specialist team over a month to dismantle it. UK government data from 2023 highlights the scale of wipe usage: 32 billion wet wipes were sold that year, with roughly 12 billion containing plastic. If spread out, these plastic wipes would cover about 2,200 football pitches. Despite welcoming the new legislation, sources within the water industry emphasize its limitations. For example, plastic wipes can still be manufactured and exported, and they remain available for purchase in pharmacies and by businesses such as hotels. An exemption was secured by the medical sector, which argues that non-plastic wipes absorb disinfectants too strongly, potentially compromising patient safety.
At the heart of the issue is Minworth Wastewater Treatment works in the Midlands, which serves over two million people in Birmingham and the Black Country. Severn Trent Water staff report that every day around 10 tonnes of wet wipes arrive at the facility. Grant Mitchell, Severn Trent’s head of blockages, describes the scene as “a nightmare” as he points to a pile of soiled wipes alongside other debris such as dead rats and rubber ducks. He explains that wet wipes are problematic because they are designed not to break down like toilet paper, allowing them to clump with fat, oil, and grease to create fatbergs that cause sewer flooding. Joining the visit was Emma Hardy, Minister for Water and Flooding, who commented on the ban’s significance: “It’s going to make a huge difference. I think people maybe underestimate the amount of problems that these wet wipes cause.”
Scientific investigation into how biodegradable wipes degrade is ongoing. Daniel Jolly, conducting research at the University of East Anglia, demonstrated how wiping products differ markedly from toilet paper in their breakdown. Testing in a lab setting simulates the flushing process showing that wipes fragment into fibers much more slowly due to their stronger construction. Jolly’s fieldwork on the River Yare further reveals that these biodegradable wipes may take months or even years to fully disintegrate under environmental conditions, which is slower than toilet paper but much faster than plastic wipes that can persist for centuries. Government-commissioned studies also found some non-plastic wipes failing disintegration criteria, meaning sewer blockages remain possible. Jolly is now extending his research to examine the environmental impact of degrading wipes on aquatic life.
Public messaging around flushable wipes has shifted recently. Until March 2024, water companies issued a “Fine to Flush” certification for certain wipes, but this program was discontinued amid concerns it confused consumers. The current advice from both government and water companies is clear: only “the three P’s”—pee, paper, and poo—should be flushed. A spokesperson for Water UK described the restriction on plastic wipes sales as a positive step but stressed the need for further measures, including a ban on manufacturing plastic wipes and mandatory “do not flush” labelling. Some manufacturers argue their “flushable” wipes are more akin to moist toilet tissues; however, Water UK still classifies these as wet wipes that should never be flushed. Minister Hardy urges producers to take responsibility and avoid marketing wipes as flushable, encouraging clear labelling to instruct consumers to dispose of them in the bin rather than the toilet
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