UK's Boots removes all plastic-based wet wipes from its shelves

It is the latest move from Boots in its mission to be a more sustainable retailer and to help its customers to make simpler, more sustainable choices. A large proportion of the 11 billion wet wipes used in the UK every year still contain some form of plastic and evidence suggests they are the cause of over nine in ten of the blockages in UK sewers, the company said in a press release.

“Our customers are more aware than ever before of their impact on the environment, and they are actively looking to brands and retailers to help them lead more sustainable lives. We removed plastics from our own brand and No7 wet wipe ranges in 2021, and now we are calling on other brands and retailers across the UK to follow suit in eliminating all plastic-based wet wipes. We all have a responsibility to protect our planet. By joining forces to inspire more positive action, we can collectively make a big difference,” Steve Ager, chief customer and commercial officer, Boots UK, said in a statement.

“This is a really encouraging commitment from Boots to prevent the damaging plastics in wet wipes from entering our environment. We have already conducted a call for evidence on wet wipes, including the potential for banning those containing plastic. This is in addition to the action we have already taken to tackle plastics, including banning microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, restrictions on single-use plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds, and the 10p plastic bag charge,” environment minister, Rebecca Pow, said.

“It’s a fantastic step in the right direction for retailers, like Boots, to remove plastic from their own brand wet wipes and ask that all brands they stock do the same. Our volunteers found nearly 6,000 wet wipes during the Great British Beach Clean in September 2021, which is an average of 12.5 wet wipes for every 100 metres of beach surveyed. The fact we’re still finding so many wet wipes on beaches shows that we need to remove plastic from wet wipes and move toward reusable options wherever possible, and it’s great that Boots are making commitments to this,” Sandy Luk, chief executive at the Marine Conservation Society, said.

Not only is Boots committing to eliminate plastic in wet wipes, it also has expanded its ranges of reusable and refillable alternatives in the last two years, including offering reusable make-up remover pads, cleansing pads, baby reusable wipes and refillable cleansing products.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)