Wet wipes containing plastics could be banned under a move proposed by the Department of environment, food and rural affairs (Defra).
The water sector has been calling for a ban of plastic wipes which can block pipes and sewers leading to damage to the network.
The government is now consulting on the proposed ban of plastic in wipes with a view to implementing it early next year.
It comes weeks after the Fine to Flush certification scheme was dropped by Defra. The label was launched in 2019 for packaging of wet wipes that will breakdown on entering the sewer network and not contribute to blockages.
A ban of plastic-containing wipes was mooted in the Plan for Water published by government in April, with a subsequent call for evidence indicating 96% support for a ban
“Wet wipes containing plastic are unnecessary and are polluting our environment,” environment secretary Therese Coffey said. “Today’s plan shows we will continue to tackle plastic pollution in our waterways, building on banning microbeads in personal care products to taking billions of plastic bags out of circulation.”
Packaging and labels on wipes had been criticised as too confusing for consumers to understand what could be flushed safely or not.
Water companies spend c£100 million annually removing blockages caused by improperly disposed of wipes and other nonflushable items such as sanitary products and nappies. These can become lodged in pipes and bonded to fats, oils and greases in pipes.
Defra said a ban would reduce the amount of microplastics entering waterways and is a key measure in how it wants to improve water quality and remove unnecessary plastics by 2042.
Water UK led an industry campaign called Ban the Wipe, which was started by Northumbrian Water before being taken nationwide.
Water UK chief executive David Henderson welcomed the plan to ban plastic wipes. He said: “When flushed, these wipes cause fatbergs and other blockages that trigger overflow spills into rivers or flood homes and businesses. As our Bin the Wipe campaign makes clear, these products should never be flushed. We can all do our bit by putting wet wipes in the bin, rather than flushing them.”
The ban would build on action by retailers to only sell plastic-free wipes that has been supported by Boots, Tesco and Aldi.
Labour MP Fleur Anderson spearheaded action with a private members bill to put an end to unnecessary plastics.