Latest news with #wetwipes
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Spain to ban flushing of wet wipes, with manufacturers paying clean up costs
The Spanish government is preparing a law that will oblige wet wipe manufacturers to cover the costs of cleaning huge wads of their product from the country's clogged-up sewers and water-treatment plants. The draft legislation, which is intended to help Spain meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and comply with EU legislation on reducing single-use plastic products, will also ban people from disposing of wet wipes down the toilet, as well as prohibiting the deliberate release of disposable party balloons containing plastic into the environment because of the marine pollution they cause. According to the law's outline, wet wipes and balloons are among the 10 single-use plastic items most commonly found on beaches in the EU. 'Wet wipes – even those made with natural polymers that haven't been chemically modified – have a negative environmental impact and significantly affect the functioning of the sewer and purification networks,' the legislation says. 'Because they do not disintegrate completely, they cause obstructions in the sewer system that reduce its water retention capacity and increase the risk of overflows – especially during spells of heavy rain.' The draft notes that microfibres from wet wipes also end up in rivers and other bodies of water, leaving local authorities with hefty clean-up bills and environmental fines. Figures from the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation put the annual cost of clearing wet wipes from sewer and purification systems at €230m (£190m). Given the environmental damage that wet wipes and balloons cause, the new law will oblige their manufacturers to cover the costs of cleaning up their products, 'including cleaning of sanitation and treatment infrastructure, as well as its subsequent transport and treatment'. In addition to being responsible for both regular collections of litter involving their products and sporadic spills, they will be obliged to cover the costs of 'awareness-raising measures'. The draft also says that although genuinely biodegradable wipes will be exempt from the ban on 'the disposal of wet wipes down the toilet', the environment ministry recommends people do not throw any kinds of wet wipes down the loo 'so as to minimise the impact on sewer infrastructure and the environment'. Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion Asked how the proposed bans would work in practice, sources at the ministry stressed that the law was still a work in progress, adding: 'Educating people and raising awareness are always important elements.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line shares strict bathroom warning
Cruise lines have signs, videos, songs and warnings all designed to stop passengers from flushing things down the toilet. They start with the obvious ones like diapers and feminine hygiene products, which you're also not supposed to flush at home, but some people probably do. They also include items that nobody considers flushable, like keys, various toys, bananas and wallets. Those items should not need to be on the list, but they have likely been flushed often enough that the cruise line wants to call them is, however, a large grey area when it comes to the differences between cruise-ship plumbing and at-home plumbing. People at home can generally use whatever toilet paper they want: two-ply, three-ply or even four-ply (which may not exist). And Wet Wipes, both the brand name ones and the generic ones, can be flushed. On a cruise ship, however, that's not the case, and many people don't realize this. Cruise passengers should flush only the terrible, cheap, thin, scratchy toilet paper the cruise line provides or they risk a major problem. . One Carnival Cruise Line passenger attacked Brand Ambassador John Heald regarding the bathroom situation on its cruise ships. "Wet Wipes are what many of us use John! Where do we put them? Why doesn't Carnival provide those scented disposable bags that are used for diapers or dog poop so we can put the used ones in them for the cleaners to take away?" they asked. Now, never mind that the room stewards probably aren't too eager to have to do that. There are deeper reasons the cruise line does not allow any sort of wet wipe. "If you flush wet wipes down the toilet, then it will block your toilet and the toilets in the cabin section, too, sometimes 20 plus. Please do not flush anything down the toilet except the paper we provide. The end," Heald simple answer should end the discussion — but it likely won't since the original poster made clear they did not believe that wet wipes are not safe to use. He cites a post that incited his post, which is not seen on Heald's page. "The author is a charter member of the cruise boards and a marine engineer. He clearly says that wet wipes break down almost immediately and will not clog the ship's toilet systems," they passengers seemed eager to share their own bathroom habits. "Very easy to fix this issue," wrote Trudy Lepera. "Wipe with toilet paper like you normally would, then at end when toilet tissue is pretty much clean when wiping, then use your wet one so you can feel clean more, and wrap the wet one that has no visible poo on it because remember it's just at the end you use the wet one ... wrap it with tissue and throw it in the trash." Others say the cruise line has already provided for disposal. "You can also use the little bags they provide for ladies monthly use products," posted Darleen Davis Cherry. "They are provided in the cabin bathrooms and if you run out, you just ask your steward for more. Simple." Amy Martin wasn't that nice about her her solution. "Dear Miss Entitlement, go to Dollar Tree and buy a roll of dog poo bags. It's not that hard to solve this issue," she wrote. Stezy Butcher has no tolerance for people who break these rules. "This should be right up there with smoking in your room. If you get caught, it should be a fine," she posted. More on travel: Low-cost airline to pull all Hawaii flights amid low demand Government issues new travel advisory on popular beach destination Another country just issued a new visa requirement for visitors Monique Schaefer tried to be a voice of reason. "I am often shocked by people's ignorance," she wrote. "Living in an older home, I had to explain to my permanent guest that flushable wipes cannot be flushed in this house. I've had so many plumbers tell me the nightmares of clearing clogged pipes because of flushable wipes and other flushable sanitary products. Just use the provided and put the other stuff in the trash." (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
The Herald
21-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Think before flushing in Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point
Wet wipes and similar objects being flushed down toilets have been identified as a leading cause of sewer blockages in the suburbs of Camps Bay, Bakoven, Clifton and Sea Point in Cape Town. The city's water and sanitation department said on Tuesday it had attended to 1,072 blockages in the suburbs between July 2023 and March this year. 'The volume of call-outs in these high-use areas raises serious concerns about ongoing irresponsible behaviour,' said the city. Water and sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien appealed to residents and visitors not to flush foreign objects down toilets in the affected areas. 'The city is appealing to residents to be mindful of the impact that improper household waste disposal habits have on the environment. Help us reduce sewer overflows and prevent damage to infrastructure by flushing only human waste and toilet paper. We see an increase in wet wipes blocking sewer pipes in some areas. These should be discarded in bins to be collected along with other refuse,' he said. 'What is especially concerning is the need for repeat visits just days apart, as new blockages form in the same areas. Breaking the cycle of this persistent challenge requires a collaborative effort by the city and residents.' Most blockages were caused by foreign objects such as wet wipes, sanitary towels and nappies, followed by tree roots, rags, and fat from restaurants and eateries. No cause was identified for some blockages which the city could be attributed to high flows due to rain, pump station failure or a blockage elsewhere that affected several streets. TimesLIVE
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Former royal maid reveals the cleaning item banned in Buckingham Palace bathrooms by King Charles
King Charles banned a popular cleaning item from royal residences, according to a former maid. For more than a decade, 57-year-old Anne Simmons worked as a royal cleaner across Buckingham Palace 's 775 rooms. While the royal household is stocked with multiple cleaning products, there is one item that will never be found among the supplies. Anne, from Berkshire, told UK bathroom and kitchen expert Plumbworld that the item banned by Charles, 76, is disposable wet wipes. The reasons for the items being banished are two fold according to Anne, who revealed that they have caused damage to Palace bathrooms - and this has been expensive to fix in the past. In addition, the wipes are thought to be bad for the environment, and the king is known for his concern about the planet. Anne explained: 'At the palace, wet wipes caused significant plumbing issues. Despite being advertised as 'flushable,' they don't break down in the system like toilet paper does. 'This led to repeated blockages and costly plumbing repairs. It became clear that they simply weren't worth the trouble.' She added that instead of the disposable wipes, they opted for reusable cleaning cloths. In addition to preventing the issues the wipes caused with plumbing, the switch saved money, as the need for frequent repairs was reduced. Anne has previously revealed which item was banned when it comes to cleaning palace kitchens. Speaking again to Plumbworld, she claimed that steel wool cleaning pads were not allowed on the premises to prevent any scratches on their pristine marble surfaces. 'We were strictly trained to avoid steel wool and scouring pads at all costs,' she explained. 'While they can scrub grime away, they're too harsh for kitchen surfaces, especially in royal estates where quality materials like marble and granite are used.' Steel wool dishcloths have become extremely popular as their hard material helps remove stubborn grime and dirt that otherwise wouldn't come off. But according to Anne, palace officials didn't want to risk them scuffing up their lavish kitchen. 'High-end kitchen surfaces such as granite, marble, and stainless steel are prone to scratching,' added Anne. 'Even small scratches can affect the surface's appearance and make it harder to clean. The royal kitchens couldn't afford to damage their materials.' Instead, she said they used 'microfiber cloths,' as they are 'soft and non-abrasive.' 'Steel wool and scouring pads might make your kitchen look clean immediately, but over time they can dull the finish,' dished the former royal maid. 'Once surfaces are scratched, they're harder to maintain, and bacteria can get trapped in those grooves. 'A beautiful kitchen doesn't require harsh tools - just the right cleaning habits. Use gentle products, and your surfaces will stay pristine.' Anne also opened up about the one hack that she used regularly at the palace to ensure it was in tip-top shape. She explained that all the royal maids used a 'natural' and 'gentle' cleaner that they created themselves using ingredients found in everyone's kitchens. 'Every evening, we'd spray down all the kitchen surfaces using a homemade mix of vinegar, lemon juice, and warm water,' she revealed. 'It cuts through grease effortlessly and leaves everything looking polished without any sticky residue. 'PH-balanced cleaners like vinegar and mild dish soap work wonders for everyday cleaning.'
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Common household item banned from royal homes
An ex-Buckingham Palace cleaner has revealed the common item banned from all royal bathrooms. Anne Simmons, 57, from Berkshire told Plumbworld that disposable wet wipes have been removed from royal homes because they cause 'significant plumbing issues'. While wet wipes may seem convenient for quick clean-ups, it appears they generate more harm than many realise, especially when flushed down the toilet, The US Sun reports. 'At the palace, wet wipes caused significant plumbing issues,' the former royal maid said. 'Despite being advertised as 'flushable,' they don't break down in the system like toilet paper does. 'This led to repeated blockages and costly plumbing repairs. 'It became clear that they simply weren't worth the trouble.' Ms Simmons said the palace avoids using wipes and has switched to reusable cleaning cloths. 'Not only did this prevent plumbing issues, but it also saved money in the long term by reducing the need for frequent repairs,' she said. The real damage wet wipes do to plumbing Wet wipes have become one of the top causes of plumbing blockages in households and businesses alike. The product also poses some other very serious risks. Non-biodegradable wipes take hundreds of years to break down, contributing to landfill waste and water pollution. They can also harm marine life when flushed into rivers and oceans. As well as this, wet wipes combine with grease and debris to form fatbergs, causing severe blockages in sewer systems and costly repairs. Additionally, wet wipes can lead to increased water treatment costs, as they put strain on sewage treatment plants. They also pose a threat to wildlife, as animals can mistake wet wipes for food, leading to ingestion and potential harm or death. Plumber's perspective on wet wipes James Clarkson, a professional UK plumber with over 15 years of experience, shared his expert perspective on the damage caused by wet wipes. 'In many homes, wet wipes have become a major cause of plumbing issues,' he said. 'Even though they may say 'flushable,' these wipes don't break down like toilet paper, and over time, they accumulate and cause severe blockages. 'I've had to clear fatbergs created by wipes on multiple occasions, and the cost of repairs can be substantial.' Mr Clarkson advised: 'The key is to avoid flushing them. Wet wipes should never be disposed of in the toilet, even if they claim to be 'flushable.' 'Always throw them in the bin. And, if you need to use wipes, consider biodegradable alternatives that won't cause the same problems.' Protect your home's plumbing A spokesperson from Plumbworld commented: 'Making small changes, like disposing of wet wipes properly, can prevent plumbing issues and save you money in the long run.' In Australia, it's advised not to flush wet wipes, especially those labelled 'flushable' as they may cause blockages in plumbing systems. According to all types of wet wipes belong in the bin. The website states that 'if they're labelled as flushable, the risk they pose to plumbing and sewer systems is too significant to ignore.'
