WET WIPES containing plastic are set to be outlawed in Northern Ireland under new rules.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is introducing new regulations that ban their sale and supply, it was confirmed this week.
While there will be limited exemptions for business-to-business supply and medical use, the removal of the products from general consumption is aimed at reducing plastic and microplastic pollution, cutting down on waste sent to landfill and lessening the environmental impact of their use.
A recent report found that over 30 billion wet wipes were placed on the UK market in 2021 - more than 25 billion of which contained plastic.
The ban, which is set to be implemented across the UK, will take effect in Northern Ireland in May 2027, allowing retailers 18 months to sell off their existing stock and transition to plastic-free alternatives.
“My department is informing people of these new regulations to give them time to change their habits when it comes to choosing these products over environmentally friendly alternatives,” DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said.
“Improper disposal of wet wipes is having hugely negative consequences on our sewer system, on our beaches and in our waterways,” he added.
“Given the environmental harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, this ban represents a significant step toward a cleaner, healthier environment.”
See More: Northern Ireland, Plastic, Wet Wipes
