Netherlands pushes for EU-wide ban on wet wipes containing plastic

The Dutch government is calling for a European-wide ban on wet wipes that contain plastic, citing environmental damage and millions of euros in sewage system repairs. The wipes, commonly used for household cleaning, baby care, and personal hygiene, do not break down in water and frequently clog wastewater systems.

According to State Secretary for the Environment Jansen, non-degradable wet wipes are a growing problem. "Their convenience has led to them replacing alternatives like reusable or paper wipes," he stated in a letter to the Tweede Kamer.

Flushed wipes form large clumps that block sewer pumps, leading to costly repairs. "Unclogging the sewer system costs between 22 million euros and 55 million euros annually," Jansen wrote.

The issue reportedly extends beyond the sewer system. Many wipes end up littering streets and beaches, where they do not decompose and must be manually removed.

The Dutch water authorities and Stichting Rioned, an organization focused on urban water management, previously urged the European Union to ban wet wipes containing plastic. The Dutch government now supports this initiative and seeks to modify the EU’s Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Directive to include a ban.

Jansen did not specify a timeline for the proposed legislation but emphasized the need for coordinated action at the European level.