They say the disposable wipe is man’s best friend; from germaphobe office workers to new father gagging their way through stinky nappies, wipes have become something we can’t live without. They are an advertisers’ dream marketed to our paranoia of germs and dirt smells, as they come infused with scented oils, pH balanced and dermatologist-approved.
Don’t believe the BS! Our global obsession with wipes is clogging the sewage systems, littering beaches and seriously affecting our skin. It’s time for everyone to get more involved and ditch the wet wipe. Let’s take a stand for our environment and make clean up Australia.
What’s the Problem with Wipes?
While toilet paper starts to break down after 30 seconds in water, wipes can take years to degrade, if ever. To make matters worse, wipes start to bond together in sewage pipes, capturing fat and grease creating massive blockages in the sewage system, sometimes referred to as “fatbergs”. In the UK, a fatberg the size of a 747 caused a sewer blockage in West London and the main component of this fatberg was, you guessed it, wipes!
Photo: Swetha Sathyan | BuzzOnEarth UK
While major outbreaks of fatbergs are yet to appear in Australia, sewage treatment plants are under constant pressure to keep their systems clear of wet-wipes. Wet-wipes are the primary cause of breakdowns at sewage treatment plants across Australia, with the waste management systems of every state pleading for us to stop putting baby wipes down the toilet. Wipes are also suring up the income stream for plumbers as wet-wipes clog sewage pipes, creating smelly plumbing problems in homes across Australia.
What are Wet Wipes Made Of?
Wet wipes are usually made from long plastic fibres of polypropylene or polyester and a cellulosic material such as wood pulp, cotton or rayon. The ingredients are pressed into sheets and then loaded with anti-microbial cleaning solutions. The contents vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the percentage of plastic in the wipe has the biggest impact on the degradability of the wet-wipe.
According to experts, most popular wet wipes are made up of up to 3 quarters polyester. The plastic makes the wipes stronger but also means they do not break down and block the sewage system, littering our oceans and rivers.
The other major concern with using wet-wipes or baby wipes is the increased incidents of skin reactions. There have been a number of studies linking the chemicals used in wet-wipes or baby wipes to skin issues. In the UK, The British Association of Dermatologists have dedicated their conferences to the impacts of wipes on the skin, and with the horrible range of of chemicals present in most wipes, you quickly understand the reason for their concern.
Here’s what you should look to avoid when choosing a baby wipes:
MUST AVOID!
- Parabens. These impact hormone activity and impact male fertility in addition to being detected in breast cancer tissues.
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI). A preservative used un wipes that has been linked to terrible eczema and dermatitis issues. Currently being banned from wipes in the EU
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1-2-diol. This chemical releases formaldehyde which is an irritant to the skin, eyes and lungs as well as being a carcinogen
Try to avoid:
- Malic Acid. Skin irritant that should not be used around eyes
- Propylene glycol. This chemical increase the ability of the skin to absorb other chemicals as well as being an eyes and lung irritant
- Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride.A skin, immune and respiratory irritant.
- Tocopheryl Acetate. An allergen and skin irritant
What’s the wet wipe alternative?
There are some environmentally friendly baby wipes out there, but I should point out that they are more expensive than the “plastic fantastic” version. Based on our research, and my experience as a parent of 2 young kids, I recommend bamboo-based baby wipes. They’re very strong, totally degradable and made from a renewable resource, but still not suitable for being put down the toilet.
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