Greener Living
UK Seeks to Ban Baby Wipes That Clog Sewers and Pollute Rivers
- Blockages cost water companies as much as £100 million a year
- Proposals have stalled since government floated idea in 2021
UK water companies have to deal with about 300,000 sewer blockages each year.
Photographer: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
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Plastic wet wipes used for babies and to remove makeup may be banned in the UK under plans to unclog sewers and clean up waterways.
The government is proposing restricting sales to rapidly biodegradable wipes because too many people flush plastic cloths down toilets when they should go in the bin. They congeal with oils poured down drains to create fatbergs that block pipes and trigger overflow systems, causing sewage spills.