Plastic Wet Wipes To Be Banned

DAERA To introduce legislation to ban plastic wet wipes

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is introducing new regulations to prohibit the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic, with limited exemptions for business-to-business supply and medical use.

The ban is a coordinated UK-wide approach, with each nation introducing its own legislation.

A recent report found that over 30 billion wet wipes were placed on the UK market in 2021 – more than 25 billion of which contained plastic.

Projections suggest that by 2033, UK consumption could reach 49 billion wet wipes, with 39 billion sold directly to consumers.

In Downpatrick, the outfall pipe feeding back into the River Quoile has in the past put tiny fragmnents of minced up plastics back from the sewage system into the Quoile river. Over years this has compounded into a black tar-like substance covering the river bed just above the Belfast Road bridge and has reduced the actual depth of the river considerable.

This discharge of plastic material into the river from materials such as plastic wipes has contributed to immense environmental damage not only to the River Quoile and wildlife but many other water systems across Northern Ireland including Lough Neagh.

The aim of these regulations is to:

• restrict the use of wet wipes containing plastic in domestic settings, where suitable alternatives already exist.

• reduce plastic and microplastic pollution,

• cut down on waste sent to landfill or incineration,

• and lessen the impact of litter on the marine environment and animal health.

The ban will come into effect in May 2027, following an 18-month transition period to allow retailers time to deplete existing stock and adopt plastic-free alternatives.

Many such alternatives are already available on the market.

A UK-wide public consultation launched on 1 October 2023 received strong support for the proposed ban, a Summary of Responses was published on 22 April 2024.

This action supports the Department’s commitment to reducing plastic pollution, as outlined in the NI Environmental Improvement Plan.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “My Department is informing people of these new regulations to give them time to change their habits when it comes to choosing these products over environmentally friendly alternatives.

“Improper disposal of wet wipes is having hugely negative consequences on our sewer system, on our beaches and in our waterways.

“Given the environmental harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, this ban represents a significant step toward a cleaner, healthier environment.”