Wet Wipes Plastic 2022-06-23
2022-06-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of billions of wet wipes containing plastic being used across the country, causing environmental damage and blocking sewers.
If he will make it his policy to ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic. Billions of wet wipes containing plastic are still being used across the country, causing environmental damage and blocking our sewers. The consultation finished in February and there is still no ban in sight. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the next steps towards achieving a ban?
There was a huge response to the call for evidence, and we are working our way through the details. We have to make sure that if a ban is brought in, it does not have knock-on effects that will cause similar problems. Even though other wet wipes might be deemed suitable to flush, they still get stuck in sewers, so we have to be mindful of that.
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Assessment & feedback
Meeting to discuss next steps towards a ban
Working Our Way Through The Details
Mindful Of Knock-On Effects
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The call for evidence to explore policy options for tackling wet wipes, including a possible ban on those that contain plastic.
Could the Minister expand on that answer? When are the results of the call for evidence on the proposals to ban single-use plastics likely to be published?
We have to get the science right. We must not jump out of the frying pan into the fire, so we are exploring all options and the science behind them before we make an announcement, but I assure him that it will be made shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Publication date for results
Exploring All Options
Science Behind Proposals
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The impact of wet wipes on the sewerage system, as seen at sewage works such as Budds Farm in Havant and Bishop's Waltham.
Anyone who has visited a sewage works such as Budds Farm in Havant or Bishop's Waltham can see the impact of wet wipes on the sewerage system. What more can we do now to raise awareness of the issues among the public so that only the three Ps are flushed down the loo?
It is all about comms and education. If one has to flush, one should look for the flushability logo. 93% of sewerage blockages are caused by wet wipes which then get fat stuck around them causing fatbergs.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete measures to raise awareness
Comms And Education
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Overflow discharges from water treatment works containing wet wipes, with the River Tame having a very high concentration of microplastics.
The Minister will know that when there are overflow discharges into rivers from water treatment works, wet wipes are not filtered out. She will also know that the River Tame has a very high concentration of microplastics. It is of massive concern to me as secretary of the Friends of the Tame Valley, that trees along the riverbank are littered with wet wipes. What is the Minister doing, not only to get the message out about not flushing wet wipes down the toilet but to clean up our riverbanks so they do not look like a horrific scene from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'?
We are getting sewage overflows more frequently than we need because of blockages with wet wipes. We will come up with some suggestions for what we propose to do very shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Cleaning up riverbanks and improving messaging
More Frequent Sewage Overflows
Suggestions For Proposals
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of billions of wet wipes containing plastic being used across the country, causing environmental damage and blocking sewers.
If he will make it his policy to ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic. Billions of wet wipes containing plastic are still being used across the country, causing environmental damage and blocking our sewers. The consultation finished in February and there is still no ban in sight. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the next steps towards achieving a ban?
There was a huge response to the call for evidence, and we are working our way through the details. We have to make sure that if a ban is brought in, it does not have knock-on effects that will cause similar problems. Even though other wet wipes might be deemed suitable to flush, they still get stuck in sewers, so we have to be mindful of that.
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Assessment & feedback
Meeting to discuss next steps towards a ban
Working Our Way Through The Details
Mindful Of Knock-On Effects
Response accuracy