Plastic-packed wet wipes are still choking the Thames – and one charity says enough is enough.
Environmental group Thames21 is demanding a total ban on plastic in wet wipes, including sales via online pharmacies, warning the government’s current plan leaves a glaring loophole.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is set to close its consultation on the issue this Thursday (31 July).
While the draft rules propose banning plastic in wipes, they allow pharmacies to keep selling them online and behind the counter if “a customer has requested them” – as well as for medical use.
That’s not good enough, says Thames21, which has led the charge to get these plastic-laden products out of rivers for years.
“Wet wipes made of plastic don’t belong in our rivers or our oceans – full stop,” a spokesperson said.
“It’s more important than ever that we protect the River Thames and its tributaries, as we no longer want to see these items blighting our local environment and introducing microplastics into them.”
Most wet wipes are made from non-biodegradable plastic and can’t be reused.
Flushed down toilets, they end up spewing into rivers via sewage overflows.
Once in the water, they break down into microplastics, poisoning fish and other wildlife that mistake them for food.
Since 2017, Thames21 volunteers have removed more than 142,000 wet wipes from the foreshore of the Thames – but that’s just the tip of the fatberg.
“This sewage-based plastic pollution also finds its way into the world’s oceans, harming wildlife and people,” the charity warned.
Thames21 says the government must scrap the pharmacy exemption and close the door on plastic wet wipes for good.
All plastic wet wipes must be banned from rivers appeared first on Energy Live News.