Wet wipes banned
HOLLAND & Barrett will become the first high street retailer to stop selling wet wipes.
The health food chain has pledged to rid all 800 of its UK and Ireland stores of the disposable wipes by the end of September.
Wet wipes – made from synthetic fibres – have become a source of concern for environmentalists and water companies.
When flushed into domestic sewer systems, the wipes can cause blockages because they do not disintegrate fully.
If washed out to sea, they pollute the water and can be potentially harmful to marine life.
Around 9.3million wet wipes are flushed down toilets each day.
While some are marketed as biodegradable, water companies say they still remain intact for long periods of time – and advise against flushing them.
Holland & Barrett said 34 products in its wet wipe range are being de-listed and will be removed from stores. It is calling on other retailers in the UK to follow suit with a ban.
Jo Ruxton, of the Plastic Oceans Foundation campaign group, said: ‘We are delighted that Holland & Barrett are taking a clear lead on sustainability by banning one of the problem products we see in our rivers and oceans.
‘Single use, disposable wet wipes, which use the world’s precious resources to manufacture, still come in plastic packaging and still get flushed down the loo or thrown in the bin.’
She added: ‘We hope that other large retailers will join Holland & Barrett on their mission to make the high street a more environmentally-conscious place.’
Holland & Barrett said it will replace its wet wipe products with reusable alternatives such as cotton cloths and pads.
Joanne Cooke, of Holland & Barrett, said: ‘There is a growing awareness of how much our throwaway culture is damaging our oceans, beaches and rivers.
‘We want to encourage customers to think about what they throw away and encourage them to swap to more sustainable alternatives. The quickest way for us all to make a positive impact on the world we live in is to choose to spend our money on more sustainable products.’
The impact wet wipes have on water systems was highlighted recently with the discovery of multiple ‘fatbergs’. These congealed masses made up of wet wipes and hardened fat have been found in sewage systems across the nation, with one in Devon taking more than eight weeks to remove.
Mrs Cooke added: ‘The impact of single-use plastic on the Earth is very evident. Moving forward we will look to make our beauty offering as clean and conscientious as possible.’
Industry body Water UK has introduced a ‘fine to flush’ symbol for wet wipe products that have passed testing, confirming that they do not contain plastic and will break down in the sewer system.
Volunteers for the Marine Conservation Society’s annual beach clean last year found an average of 12 wet wipes per 110 yards (100m) of beach cleaned and surveyed, an increase of more than 300 per cent in the past decade.