"What I would say to everybody is if you don't need to use a wet wipe, don't, but also don't chuck them down the loo."

They can be very useful for someone who finds it difficult to use toilet paper thoroughly because of limited mobility, but there is certainly no excuse for flushing them away.

I have never. knowingly, used a wet wipe.so it isn't a problem.

well said houseplantqueen, i hesitated to mention that.

and obviously i'm appalled about the island in the thames, and agree we all need to start taking more responsibility.

there are so many problems to be addressed. eg "huge piles of plastic rubbish much bigger than the united kingdom are already floating through our oceans". it's hard to get your head around that one isn't it.

i believe at least half of collected refuse in london is incinerated, generating heat and energy.
i don't see wipes as particularly harmful.
they can be useful for maintaining hygiene.
i am very respectful of drains.
a woman nearby, middle class, middle-aged, went
outside her house with a saucepan and emptied the contents into the storm drain in the road, seemed to be oily rice, piled on the grating.
when it rains the water pools there and spreads across the road, hazardous for drivers and pedestrians.

GagaJo

My mum used to take out a damp flannel in a soap dish for my brother and me, over 50 years ago. I've started doing it with my grandson.

I remember the smell of the flannels my mum used to clean us up - the same flannel used on all four children kept in a plastic bag! Yuck!

FarNorth a response any response from my Tory Cabinet MP would be great - alas not unless tv cameras or press photo opportunity avails itself. I have tried.

My mum made do with a hanky & spit.

I completely agree about the problems of throwing wipes down the loo, but I have awful memories of the smell of a flannel after a day out when I was a child.

Indeed Oldbat1 which is why legislation is being considered.
Joe Public can do a little to help, tho, if they realise there's a problem.
Joe Public can also email their MPs with their views on legislation or other measures.

Why allow manufacturers to keep producing these products in the first place? Same with packaging which can’t be recycled. It isn’t Joe Public “fault”

I recently bought what I think is only the second packet of wet wipes I have ever had.

I only did so, because I had bought a snack to eat outside in a park and there was neither a water tap, nor a public toilet anywhere nearby, and I could not persuade myself to eat, using my fingers, without washing my hands first.

And I rightly anticipated needing to wipe my hands after my snack as well.

The used wipes went into a bin, and the remainder of the packet into a sealed plastic bag when I got home that evening. I trust they can be used up during summer outings.

calendargirl yes we did. I was lulled briefly into a false impression that wipes were a good thing. I have a couple of packs in the bathroom cupboard that have been there for years.
Apart from the waste, wipes cost money, surely everyone has a flannel or old towel they can cut up.

But years ago, when our children were small, you just used a damp flannel as a matter of course. And took one out with you in a plastic bag.

Now it’s wipes for everything, faces, bottoms, loos, leather, furniture, floors, worktops,……

Most of those who are posting have got the message .
There may be others reading who had not thought of it.

Went to the beach with my grandson last weekend with my wet facecloths in a plastic bag. (one that used to hold toilet rolls-very appropriate) it really wasn’t hard.
As lovebeigecardugans pointed out most of us on here have got the message. In fact we got the message years ago.

Sadly, I fear that you're preaching to the converted OP as many of the people who don't bother to do the right thing aren't listening and don't want to make the extra effort, even when it is pointed out to them, which is a shame but I commend your efforts in getting this point across.

The UK government is considering legislation to make plastic in wipes illegal.
At least then they'd break down more easily.

Not using wipes is better, of course.

We all seem to be in agreement that wipes down the loo are bad news. But is it really that much better putting them in the household waste?

There are so many different types of wipes on the market and most of them end up in landfill via the kitchen bins of many households. Body wipes/make up wipes/floor wipes/kitchen wipes/car interior wipes etc. Most of them will be hanging around in landfill sites long after us.

GagaJo
I did the same when my two were babies. I had two different coloured ones one for face and the other for bottom.
Wet wipes now go straight into the bin.I only use the thin ''basic'' toilet paper, never quilted.
When I worked as a nurse, it was quite usual for at least one of the ward toilets to be blocked.The cause was mostly patients putting paper towels down the loo.There was a bin by the wash basin but still some of them ignored it.
The trouble with wet wipes is that the manufacture will print ''flushable'' on the packs.This is misleading as the wipes usually disappear on flushing but stay out of sight until they reach the sewer pipe then get lodged in it.

My mum used to take out a damp flannel in a soap dish for my brother and me, over 50 years ago. I've started doing it with my grandson.

SueDonim

I hate using wipes if I can avoid it. When I look after my GC I use a damp cloth or cotton wool and water, if possible. The thought of a wipe being used on a face or bottom for five seconds and then spending the next 100 years in landfill is so depressing.

Yes thats true, then you have all those disposable nappies aswell on landfill , proud to say I've never used them on my children or grandson

I hate using wipes if I can avoid it. When I look after my GC I use a damp cloth or cotton wool and water, if possible. The thought of a wipe being used on a face or bottom for five seconds and then spending the next 100 years in landfill is so depressing.

I still use face cloths , am I wrong ?
When my Husband was deteriorating the carers asked me for extra face cloths , colour coded , white above the waist and blue below ( if you know what I mean )
I still use face cloths in the shower and they go in the wash with the towels , I use small hand towels in the guest bathroom , that cuts down on the amount of washing , not using larger towels means I can change them for each visit ,
Most wipes aren’t necessary, use a face cloth

I just wish it were possible - when they’re unblocking pipes - to be able to tell who’s gaily flushing wet wipes down the loo.

The water co. could then impose a sanction of e.g. water cut off for 24 hours. 48 for a further offence.
That’d larn ‘em.

Redhead56

I keep them when grandchildren visit but they get put in the bin.

Looking after my 2 and a half year old grandaon for a while so there is always wet wipes around ,like you I always put them in the bin as well as nappy liners after every nappy change