New law bans plastic wet wipes to protect rivers and seas

‘Wet wipes containing plastic are a growing source of pollution, with a recent survey showing an average of 20 wet wipes littering every 100 metres of beach across the UK*. When flushed, they can break down into microplastics that poison wildlife and enter the food chain.

Government today [18th November 2025] signed into law a ban on the sale of plastic wet wipes, marking a major step forward in tackling plastic pollution which devastates our waterways.

While the new law targets wipes containing plastic, all wet wipes contribute to blockages and pollution when flushed. UK Water Industry Research found that wet wipes contribute to 94% of sewer blockages’

Find out more at GOV.UK