The UK is set to ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic to help protect the environment.
Legislation will be introduced later this year to help prevent damaging plastic pollution and clean up waterways.
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.
“I have been clear that a step change is needed to protect our waterways from pollution.
“The ban builds on a raft of actions already taken to protect our waterways and hold water companies accountable – including accelerating investment, putting water company fines back into the environment and quadrupling the number of inspections of water company sites.”
Defra plans to bring forward the legislation for English before the summer, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales following by the autumn.
Wet wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time which research shows can be harmful to human health and disrupt ecosystems.
Recent research showed an average of 20 wet wipes were found per 100 metres of beach surveyed across the UK.
Responses to the public consultation showed 95 per cent support for the proposed ban.
Some retailers have already stopped selling wet wipes containing plastic and there will be an 18-month transition period to help businesses adapt.
Steve Ager, chief customer and commercial officer at Boots, said: “Boots removed all wet wipes containing plastic from sale in stores and online last year as part of our long-standing commitment to sustainability and working with suppliers and customers to reduce the use of plastic.
“We are pleased to see the government now taking action as a ban on all wet wipes containing plastic will have a much bigger impact than retailers taking action alone.
“We all have a collective responsibility to protect the environment and support a healthy planet.”
