Wipes used for rubbing fingers, removing eye makeup and wiping other parts of the body may be eliminated in the next few decades. According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation on May 8th, the British government plans to eliminate plastic from plastic waste. In addition to common plastic products, garbage also includes disposable items such as wet tissue.
According to the British government’s plan, wet wipes contain non-degradable plastic components. Therefore, manufacturers either develop plastic-free wet wipes or consumers have to abandon the use of wet wipes.
According to data from the British Water Companies Association (WATER UK), which represents all the major UK water supply and wastewater treatment companies, sewer garbage in the United Kingdom is responsible for disasters, of which up to 93% of clogging is caused by wet wipes. According to statistics, April 2018, In the 116-square-meter area of the Thames, 5,453 pieces of wet wipes were found. It is estimated that by 2021, the global wet wipes market will reach $20 billion in sales. In response, the British government and related industries should discourage consumers from getting wet. Paper towels rush into the sewer.
A spokesman for the Department of Environmental Affairs (Defra) said: 'We will continue to work with wet tissue manufacturers and retailers to ensure that the labels on the packages are clear and to let people know how to properly dispose of wet wipes. 'The department also stated that this The move also "encouraged innovation, urged product manufacturers to produce alternatives such as wet wipes that did not contain plastic, and would allow more products to be recycled."
In the past 10 years, the wet wipes industry has developed rapidly. Manufacturers provide more types of wipes for sensitive skin, baby's buttocks, removal of cosmetics, application of insect repellents, deodorants or sunscreens Etc. However, most wipes are made of polyester and other non-biodegradable materials.
But Jeremy Friedman, the general manager of a wet wipes manufacturer, wrote to lawmakers that prohibiting wipes would have a disastrous impact on the environment. He also pointed out that the wet tissues produced by the company are biodegradable. The average cost is only 3ml of water, but if you do not use wet wipes, it takes an average of 1 litre of water to wash your hands. 'They are also widely used in the medical industry. For incontinence and disabled people, these wipes have It is important. 'So in any case, the use of wipes cannot be disabled.
At present, the British Ministry of Environmental Affairs is exploring ways to change the tax system or fees to reduce the waste of disposable plastic products. The British government will also discuss whether to disable plastic straws, cotton swabs and beverage agitators. According to reports, the British Prime Minister In January, Resa May promised to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.