Disposable wipes are man’s best friend – used for ladies make-up, little one’s bottoms and your dirty keyboard. Whoa - don’t believe the BS!
Our global obsession with wipes is clogging the sewage systems and littering the beaches of Australia. Many of the brands use plastic particles to make the wipes more durable, this means they don’t break down in the same way as paper and turn into micro-plastic which can pose a big threat to our marine life.
Truth be told the time has come for us to educate ourselves of this “not so disposable” nightmare? Look to reduce your use and consider going back to your pre-wet wipe life; use regular toilet paper, wipe-down surfaces with a reusable cloth and wash your hands with soap and water.
What’s the Problem with Wipes?
Fatbergs
Very few people have heard the term, it is a solidified blockage in a sewage system made up of wet wipes, condoms, sanitary towels, cooking fat & human waste. Fatbergs are an absolute nightmare to deal with and are a growing health concern with deadly bacteria found thriving in the germ-infested conditions.
Photo: Swetha Sathyan | BuzzOnEarth UK
In Australia wet-wipes are the primary cause of breakdowns at sewage treatment plants with the waste management systems of every state pleading for us to stop putting baby wipes down the toilet. Remember, only flush the three P’s – Pee, poo and paper!
Baby Wipes
Speaking from experience, this is a tough one. Father’s usually dread going anywhere near a diaper and will load up with a heapful of wipes for the unsettling experience. Not only are wipes bad for nature but traditional pre-moistened baby wipes contain chemicals which can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. My suggestion is to toughen up for nature and return to the cotton nappies that our parents used, or if that is too hard-core, look into moving to a more expensive eco-friendly bamboo wipe. They’re very strong, totally degradable and made from a renewable resource, but still not suitable for being put down the toilet.
Skin Reaction
The other major concern with using 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. Ensure you are not using any wet-wipes on your children that contain strong chemicals.
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