Wet wipes killing marine animals because they’re being flushed and not binned, experts warn
More than 4,000 wet wipes were found washed up on UK beaches — up 400 PER CENT from last year
WET wipes are killing marine life and pushing up water bills because people are flushing millions down the loo instead of binning them, experts warn.
Plastic in the disposable cloths is eaten by whales and even tiny plankton, and has been found in mussels set for human consumption.
Clean-up volunteers found 4,000 wipes washed on to UK beaches last year — 400 per cent more than a decade ago.
And they are part of the unflushable waste blamed for up to 300,000 sewer blockages a year, which cost £88million to clear.
Dr Laura Foster, of the Marine Conservation Society, said: “They don’t disintegrate like toilet paper and they typically contain plastic, so once they reach the sea they last a very long time.”
It takes only a few wipes to clog up drains. When they mix with fats and oils they create massive “fatbergs” in sewers, some as big as a bus.
The society says even some labelled “flushable” or bio-degradable fail to meet water industry standards.
It wants manufacturers to stop using microplastics or to label packets “do not flush”.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.