Plastic Wet Wipes to be Banned in England, Following Wales’ Lead
London, UK – A new law will ban the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in England, the government announced today. The legislation aims to protect rivers and seas from pollution caused by the wipes, which contribute considerably to microplastic contamination. Wales has already enacted a similar ban, with Northern Ireland and Scotland expected to follow suit by the end of the year.
The ban will come into effect in Spring 2027, giving businesses an 18-month transition period to adjust. It applies specifically to wet wipes containing plastic, and exemptions will be made for professional medical use.A potential further ban on the manufacture of plastic-containing wet wipes will be considered after the supply and sale ban is implemented.
According to Defra Beach Litter Monitoring Data, an average of 20 wet wipes were found per 100 meters of beach surveyed across the UK between 2015 and 2020.
“Wet wipes often contain plastic that doesn’t break down, causing blockages in the sewer network and harming our environment,” stated the government release. “This ban will make a massive difference to the sewer network and the communities we serve.”
Plastic-free alternatives to wet wipes are already widely available,and several retailers have proactively removed plastic-containing wipes from their shelves.
Steve Ager, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Boots, said, “Boots was proud to be one of the first retailers to remove all wipes containing plastic from sale in stores and online in 2023 as part of our long-standing commitment with suppliers and customers to reduce the use of plastics. We believe that healthy communities need a healthy planet, so we are pleased to see the government taking action, as a ban on wipes containing plastic will have a much bigger impact than retailers acting alone.”
Chris Coode,CEO at environmental charity Thames21,welcomed the news,stating,”Thames21 welcomes this fantastic news. This vital move is a crucial step towards protecting the health of our rivers, as it will reduce the introduction of microplastics into the environment. Thames21 and its dedicated volunteers have been building evidence through our work on the River Thames for many years. A huge shout-out to Thames21’s volunteers and partners for their persistence! We would like to see more systemic change to tackle the issue of plastics entering the environment via wet wipes and other sanitary waste.”
The government emphasized that this ban is part of a larger overhaul of the water sector, aimed at rebuilding trust and improving outcomes for customers, investors, and the environment. This includes efforts to improve drainage and wastewater solutions and prevent pollutants from entering waterways.
Detailed legislation documents are available at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348274974/contents.
