I have been persistently campaigning on a small issue that has a big impact for five years, and I am delighted that the Minister has confirmed during my Westminster Hall debate that the law will change next month. Plastic in wet wipes cause environmental damage and huge costs on our water bills for cleaning up sewer blockages. Not flushing wipes is the main message, but taking plastic out of wipes so that they do break down will be a very significant change.
Every year, the UK uses an estimated eleven billion wet wipes. Many of these contain hidden plastic – polyester and polypropylene – that do not biodegrade. They end up in our rivers, oceans, and sewer systems, clogging up our infrastructure and damaging the environment. That’s why I’ve been campaigning to ban plastic in wet wipes, and why the Government’s proposal to bring in this ban is a vital step forward.
Wet wipes may seem like a minor concern, but their impact is anything but. When flushed, they contribute to fatbergs – those monstrous, congealed masses of fat, oil and debris that block our pipes and cost millions to remove. Every year Thames Water clears 75,000 blockages from London’s sewer network, with plastic wipes being the number one cause. According to Thames Water, they remove 3.8 billion plastic wipes each year in operations that cost £18 million. Those costs are added to our water bills. Even plastic-free wipes can cause problems if flushed, but plastic makes them tougher, more resilient and far more damaging.
I have seen the damage firsthand at Beckton and Mogden sewage treatment works. And then there is Wet Wipe Island, near Hammersmith Bridge. A mass of congealed plastic- laced wipes weighing 180 tonnes and covering an area the size of two tennis courts which literally changed the course of the River Thames. Thanks to our campaign, Thames Water and the Port of London Authority have removed five million during a three-week excavation.
Removing plastic from wet wipes won’t solve every issue overnight, but it’s a critical piece of the puzzle. It makes wipes more biodegradable and ensures that they break down quicker in rivers and seas. It also sends a clear message: we’re serious about tackling plastic pollution.
Boots and Tesco have led the way in banning single use wipes with plastic in all their stores and worked with manufacturers who have proven it can be done. The ban will level the playing field, reward innovation and ensure that all companies meet the same environmental standards. This is pro-planet AND pro-business.
We must also address public perception. Labelling wipes as “plastic-free” or “biodegradable” may give consumers a false sense of security, leading to more flushing.
Too many people still believe it is acceptable to flush wet wipes. It is not. Even plastic-free wipes cause blockages. The “fine to flush” standard helped raise awareness, but it is voluntary and often confusing. We now need clear, mandatory “do not flush” labelling to change habits, lower bills and protect our waterways.
This is about the kind of world we want to leave for our children. Plastic pollution is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are aligned with England on this issue. Wales has already passed legislation, with the ban coming into force in December 2026 and being the first country in the world to pass a ban.
The UK has a proud history of environmental leadership. From banning microbeads to reducing use of plastic bags and single-use plastics, we’ve shown that change is possible. Banning plastic in wet wipes is the next logical step. By acting now, we are setting the standard for the World to follow.
I introduced the Plastics in Wet Wipes Private Members Bill in 2021 and 2022 and as a 10 minute rule bill in 2022 to push this issue forward. I haven’t stopped campaigning for this change as every DEFRA Minister and school child in Putney knows very well. Now, with the government’s support, we are in touching distance of seeing this ban enacted.
The draft legislation, titled the Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025, has been published, thanks to the hard work of the government. This will take the form of a Statutory Instrument that will be considered in the House of Commons on the 3rd November, and the House of Lords on the 10th November. The ban on wet wipes containing plastic fibres will then be in force from Spring 2027.
The public is behind this campaign. Let’s ban plastic and wash away the problem… not the wipes.
Why Banning Plastic in Wet Wipes Is a Win for Our Rivers, Sewers and Future
