Mind what you flush
Put your wet wipes in the bin!
Your Challenge
Wet wipes shouldn’t go down the loo, even if they say they’re ‘biodegradable’, ‘natural’, ‘compostable’ or ‘flushable’. Ensure you put them in with the general waste, to prevent the harmful microplastics from ending up in the sea and eventually entering our food chain.
Why you're doing this
Wet wipes are the cause of 90% of sewer blockages around the UK.[1] They pollute the water and cause damage to wildlife. Even ‘flushable’ wipes are not safe to flush. When flushed, they mix with grease and other refuse, causing major sewer blockages. In addition, because they take time to break down, they can become a source of pollution in our oceans.
How you'll make a difference
When wildlife ingest wet wipes, or the microfibres that are released as they decompose, the plastic stays in their stomach and by filling their stomachs with plastic this can lead to starvation as there is no room for food. Ingesting plastic has been recorded in over 240 animal species, often resulting in injuries and death.[2]
The best solution would be to give up wet wipes completely. If you can’t give up wet wipes just yet then make sure to put them in the bin after use and never flush them.
Track your progress
in the My Footprint App
Track your progress and discover many more challenges in the My Footprint app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
