Wet Wipes Industry Announce New Disposal Labelling Code of Practice

EDANA announces an updated Code of Practice on communicating correct disposal for personal care and cleaning wipes in order to protect wastewater systems. 

The Code updates the current version from 2013 and includes moving the “Do Not Flush” symbol, usually found on the back or rear of the package, to the front of the package for those types of wipes that are most at risk of incorrectly being flushed in a toilet. Wipes marked with the Do Not Flush symbol must be disposed of in a bin. 

Key changes compared with the previous Code of Practice are the following:

• All baby wipes will be labelled with the ‘do not flush’ symbol (DNF symbol), even in case they would be flushable.
• The DNF symbol moves from the back of the pack to the front, where it will be close to the point of extraction, reminding the consumer of the proper route of disposal each time they take a wipe from the pack.
• The decision tree to decide upon labelling has been simplified.
• The secondary package has a DNF symbol as well, to allow the consumer to see the symbol already when the pack is on the shelf.
• The DNF symbol will be larger in diameter proportional to the surface of the front panel. Requirements on contrast and readability have become stronger.

UK Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said, “Consumers want to do the right thing so clear labelling on wet wipes is crucial for them to know what can and can’t be flushed. I welcome industry’s positive work in this area - we all have a responsibility to tackle the issue of wipes blocking our sewers and costing the nation millions of pounds.”  

 “We understand that providing clear information for the consumer to easily differentiate between flushable and non-flushable wipes is essential. Baby wipes are an example of a product category that provides the largest area of consumer confusion for proper disposal. By launching this new Code of Practice, the wipes industry wants to help all wipe users dispose of their products in the right way,” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA.

 
For further information contact Marines Lagemaat, Scientific & Technical Affairs Director, EDANA (marines.lagemaat@edana.org)