Swimming in wet wipes

In the UK, an astonishing 11 billion wet wipes are used every year, 90% of which contain some form of plastic. That's 163 wet wipes for every person, in the UK every year.

When flushed into our sewers, the plastic in wet wipes breaks down into microplastics, which can be eaten by marine animals, including zooplankton, and enter into our food chain.

Millions of marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone, from birds to fish, and other marine life.

We understand that wet wipes make a difference to improved quality of life for many, so asking for a complete ban isn't practical, but we do urge people to switch to reusable products where possible.

We need to shift responsibility for this problem onto manufacturers and suppliers. They need to stop using plastic in wet wipes.

Thank you to everyone who tweeted their MP to ask them to support MP Fleur Anderson's bill to ban plastic from wet wipes; to protect our ocean, our beaches and the precious marine wildlife found there.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to share your views with the Scottish Government on their updated Marine Litter Strategy, and with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England (DEFRA).

Your voice is incredibly important in showing widespread support for actions to stop marine litter at source. Both the English and Scottish consultations have now closed. We'll be sure to share updates and progress - stay tuned!