Can you recycle wet wipes?

Wipes are mostly plastic fibres. Flushed wipes cause 300,000 sewer blockages a year in the UK and form fatbergs; 'flushable' labels only mean they clear your U-bend. A UK ban on plastic-containing wet wipes has been legislated — but every wipe you own today is general waste.

Tips

• Washable cloths replace 90% of wipe use
• 'Fine to flush' certified wipes are the rare exception — but bin them anyway to be safe

Which bin does it go in?

General waste only — never flush, never recycle, even 'flushable' or 'biodegradable' ones.

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: The 10 recycling mistakes that ruin lorry-loads.

Also searched as: baby wipes, makeup wipes, flushable wipes.