The sale and supply of wet wipes that contain plastic will be banned in Scotland from next year, the Scottish government has announced.
This type of wipe is a common source of marine litter and can break down into microplastics over time, harming the environment.
Exemptions will be in place for medical and industrial uses, as well as business-to-business sales. Members of the public who require specific wet wipes containing plastic for medical or healthcare reasons will also be able to request these from a pharmacy.
The ban will be introduced in all four nations of the UK following a UK-wide consultation in 2023, which found overwhelming public support for the proposals.
The ban that comes into place on 11 August, 2027, is part of wider action to protect Scotland’s environment and marine waters and includes a transition period for businesses to help them prepare.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Wet wipes containing plastic are an unnecessary single-use item, for which more environmentally friendly alternatives already exist.
“As with all single-use items, it is vital they are disposed of correctly, otherwise they become a problematic source of marine litter and a threat to the health of our environment and wildlife.”
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