Measures have been set out in a joint response by all four UK nations published today (Monday 22 April), including a transition period for businesses to help them prepare.
Scottish ministers will introduce regulations by the end of 2024 with the ban due to come into force 18 months later.
The government said wipes containing plastic do not biodegrade in the natural environment and persist for many years, which may cause harm to wildlife and the environment, and are a source of “unsightly litter and of microplastic pollution”.
Minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity, Lorna Slater, said: “I am delighted to confirm today that the Scottish government will ban wet wipes containing plastic.
“These items are a problematic source of marine litter and are a threat to the health of our environment and wildlife. This ban delivers on an important commitment made in our Marine Litter Strategy and builds on previous actions to ban unnecessary single-use plastic items such as plastic-stemmed cotton buds and plastic straws and cutlery.
“These policies are all proof of the progress Scotland is making toward protecting our environment, and all contribute to our journey toward a circular economy.”
Plastic-free wet wipes are said to be readily available, with several retailers said to have already stopped selling wet wipes containing plastic.
Environment secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “Wet wipes containing plastic are polluting our waterways and causing microplastics to enter the environment. Defra will introduce legislation before the summer recess to crack down on this unnecessary source of pollution, following our successful single-use carrier bag charge and ban on microbeads in personal care products.”
Transition period
An 18-month transition period will commence when legislation is passed to allow businesses time to prepare. Following consultation with industry, the ban will not include the manufacture of these products, in line with other recent single-use plastic bans.
However, the governments of all four UK nations will continue to encourage manufacturers to move to a position where all their wet wipes are plastic free.
The joint response also sets out exemptions to ensure that wet wipes containing plastic remain available where there is no viable alternative – such as for medical disinfectant purposes.
For the period 2015 to 2020, an average of 20 wet wipes were found per 100m of beach surveyed across the UK, according to Defra Beach Litter Monitoring Data.
To find out more about changes in the sector, visit the National Letsrecycle.com Conference on 6 June at QEII Centre in London. To book tickets to attend or for more information please click here.
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