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Baby Essential To Be Banned After 11 BILLION Are Thrown Away In A Year – Full List Of Shops Where They're Not On Shelves

A BABY essential is set to be banned within months in a bid to protect the environment.

Wet wipes containing plastic are set to be removed from sale in the UK under legislation expected to be confirmed on Monday.

Wet wipes containing plastic are set to be banned

Currently, 11 billion wet wipes are used every year in the UK. They are indispensable for parents with small children but are not eco-friendly.

Nine in ten contain plastic.

Boots, Tesco, and Aldi have already banned plastic-based wipes in a bid to prevent tiny particles from entering our water.

Big brands like Pampers and Waterwipes have already introduced plastic-free biodegradable alternatives too.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is expected to announce plans to introduce legislation before the summer recess in July following a long-running campaign to ban the products.

The law would make it illegal to sell or supply wet wipes containing plastic in England, with the rest of the UK set to follow by the autumn.

Wet wipes eventually break down into microplastics, which damage ecosystems and contribute to water pollution.

Discarded wipes have increasingly littered Britain's beaches.

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Mr Barclay said: "I have been clear that a step change is needed to protect our waterways from pollution.

"The ban builds on a raft of actions already taken to protect our waterways and hold water companies accountable, including accelerating investment, putting water company fines back into the environment and quadrupling the number of inspections of water company sites."

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But Labour said the ban did not go far enough, committing to "a full ban on the sale, supply and manufacture of plastic wet wipes".

Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: "Plastic wet wipes clog up our sewers, kill wildlife and lead to sewage backing up into people's homes.

"The Conservatives have broken their promises to act and are too weak to ban them outright."

The party also pointed out that the Conservatives had first promised to ban wet wipes in 2018 as part of a crackdown on plastic waste.

Monday's proposals follow a consultation that saw overwhelming support for the move.

A previous consultation in 2021 also found more than 90% of people were in favour of a ban.

Steve Ager, chief customer and commercial officer at Boots, said: "We are pleased to see the government now taking action as a ban on all wet wipes containing plastic will have a much bigger impact than retailers taking action alone.

"We all have a collective responsibility to protect the environment and support a healthy planet."

Campaigners welcomed Monday's proposals but urged the Government to go further than bans on single items.

Jane Martin, chief executive of charity City To Sea, said: "It's a positive step forward to see the Government take definitive action on banning this pollutant, but action must not end there.

"The Government should now look to tackle all single-use plastic products through further bans and mandated reuse and refill targets."

Parliament's summer recess begins on July 23, with the legislation expected to be introduced before then.

However, with an election expected in the autumn, there will be limited time to pass the law before the country goes to the polls.

It comes after single-use plastic plates, cutlery and food containers were axed in October last year.

The ban applies to takeaways excluding those used in shelf-ready pre-packaged food like supermarket meal deals.

Single-use balloon sticks, polystyrene cups, bowls and trays were also outlawed.

Plastic straws, cotton buds and coffee stirrers were banned in England in October 2020 to help tackle single-use plastic pollution.

The ban was first announced in 2018 and was due to come into effect in April 2020 but was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It came after research showed that an estimated 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds are used in England every year.

Many retailers swapped the plastic products with paper alternatives before the ban, like McDonald's which ditched plastic straws back in 2018.

Before this, efforts had been focused on getting rid of single-use plastic bags supplied by retailers.

In 2015, the government slapped a 5p charge per single-use plastic bag handed out at supermarkets.

The charge rose to 10p in April 2021 and extended to all retailers, including corner shops and newsagents.

Beauty, cleaning and health products containing microbeads have also been banned in the UK since 2018.

Huge Ban On Essential Baby Product That Will Soon Be Illegal To Use

From wiping bums to wiping faces – wet wipes are an essential item in any baby bag.

But baby wipes containing plastic will soon be banned from being sold in the UK.

The government has announced the ban in a move to tackle water pollution and damaged ecosystems.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: 'Wet wipes containing plastic are polluting our waterways and causing microplastics to enter the environment.'

Wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which research shows can be harmful to human health and disrupt our ecosystems – with a recent survey showing an average of 20 wet wipes were found per 100 metres of beach surveyed across the UK.

Photo credit : Shutterstock mother changing babys nappy

A number of retailers – including Boots, Aldi and Tesco – have already removed all wipes containing plastic from their shelves and huge brands like Pampers and Waterwipes have introduced plastic-free biodegradable alternatives.

Steve Ager, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Boots, said:

'We are pleased to see the government now taking action as a ban on all wet wipes containing plastic will have a much bigger impact than retailers taking action alone.

'We all have a collective responsibility to protect the environment and support a healthy planet.'

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has said that the ban is just one of a number of moves made by the government in the effort to tackle plastic pollution.

'I have been clear that a step change is needed to protect our waterways from pollution. The ban builds on a raft of actions already taken to protect our waterways and hold water companies accountable – including accelerating investment, putting water company fines back into the environment and quadrupling the number of inspections of water company sites.'

'Reusable wipes don't have to cost anything'

While some parents might worry that the quality of baby wipes might suffer, others are celebrating the move.

Mum of two, Emma Reed, tells Netmums that she thinks the move is well overdue, saying: 'Wipes are extremely damaging to the environment especially when disposed of incorrectly – we often see in the media the effects of these being flushed – but by also containing plastic there is pollution going on during production of them too.'

Emma – who posts on Instagram about being an eco-friendly mum – says that many parents see packets of disposable wipes as being the easiest option but that using reusable wipes is easy AND saves her loads of money.

'Reusable wipes can be used for all of the jobs you need a wipe and these don't even have to cost you anything, they could simply be made at home from old rags, a cut-up piece of old clothing, a fleece or even by reusing baby muslins that you still have in the home.

'If I am going on a woodland walk I will opt for wipes that are already wet and will take them in a wetbag with me. If I am going into town, I know there are plenty of places to change my toddler and I can wet the wipes as I go.'

'Even if you do choose to purchase reusable wipes – there are many reusable baby wipe kits available these days – these will be used for years and years to come and save you money in the long term. When it comes to washing them, they can simply all go in with a normal wash with the towels and then they can be air dried.'

Photo credit : Shutterstock When will wipes containing plastic be banned?

It will become illegal to sell wipes containing plastic in England this summer, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following in autumn 2024.

The government has stated this will happen in England before the summer recess which starts on 23rd July.

What kinds of wipes will still be available to buy?

Shops will still be able to sell plastic-free wipes after the ban kicks in.

These include:

Pampers Harmonie Aqua

Huggies Pure

WaterWipes

Kit and Kin

Pura

Shop Aspyn Ovard's Top Baby Essentials On Amazon

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.

In 2024, momfluencers have an irrevocable following, much like Taylor Swift or Alix Earle.

Thousands or even millions of Instagram and TikTok users flock to these trend-setting VIPs. Momfluencers thrive on the lifecycle of likes, follows, ratings, and subscribing, climbing up the ladder as they showcase their ergonomic strollers and game-changing sleep training routines.

One of the most popular and closely followed public figures in the social media mom space is Aspyn Ovard, 27. She recently welcomed her third child with her husband, Parker Ferris, and they are proud parents to Cove, 4, and Lola, 2.

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But are she and Ferris still in love?

According to TikTok allegations and an exclusive report first captured by PEOPLE and, later, Page Six, Ovard filed for divorce on the same day she announced the birth of her third child.

Fans of the momfluencer are stirred on TikTok, shocked and in disbelief. Commenters claim that some states prohibit or delay filing for divorce when pregnant, though the reasoning behind the decision — and the context surrounding the official document, have yet to be disclosed.

Aside from the upheaval and TikTok-trending news, here at Post Wanted, we're focused on something in particular: shopping. That's right, we're following mom influencers like Ovard just as much as you are, so we rounded up her picks for the best baby essentials you can grab on Amazon.

Compiled from a list shared on her Amazon page and throughout her myriad Instagram highlights, we share the top products we also stand behind, from breast pumps and baby swings to baby monitors and car seats.

Amazon

Clad with nearly 17,000 rave reviews, the Medela Manual Breast Pump Set is one of Ovard's go-to devices. It's ready anytime, void of batteries and charging. Because it's lightweight, handy and helps remove more milk, it's a fan-favorite

Amazon

The Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing is chic and practical for your baby to sit in. It is designed to give you more flexibility when caring for your little one. Cassia's seat rotates a full 360 degrees, which helps babies observe their surroundings. Plus, it comes with a smart built-in touchscreen panel that allows you to select from five swing speeds and 12 melodies and nature sounds.

Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Apron Toddler Bibs (2-Pack)

Amazon

We've used the Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Apron Toddler Bibs with our nieces, and we must say that these babies make feeding our babies that much easier. The dynamic duo comes in an assortment of color options to choose from, are waterproof and has garnered more than 1,000 rave reviews.

Amazon

Finally, something both parents and baby can appreciate. The Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine is considered a lifesaver among many, thanks to its white noise soother and Bluetooth compatibility. Its sound quality is remarkable, which is likely why it's an Amazon best-seller.

Amazon

Grab the Lovevery The Play Gym, one of Ovard's favorite baby products. It's a top-rated brand among many momfluencers (and parents in general) because of its aesthetically pleasing design and the engaging play area it provides. Not to mention, it's excellent for tummy time.

Amazon

The Doona Car Seat & Stroller is that two-in-one baby gear essential that's 100% worth the buy. There are plenty of shades to choose from, and you can convert from a car seat to a stroller in seconds. Remarkably, it features a five-point harness, adjustable handlebar (also acts as an anti-rebound bar inside the car) and three-layer side impact protection.

With more than 14,000 rave reviews and a removable and washable seat, it's a well-designed, trusty purchase.

Amazon

The Frida Baby Nasal Aspirator is a tried-and-true essential among many, especially parents we know. Earning a top spot as a best-seller as well, it comes with 10 extra filters and an all-natural saline nasal spray to serve as the snot sucker of the century. Seriously, though.

Amazon

The FRIGG Daisy Natural Rubber Baby Pacifier is too cute to pass up, thanks to its adorable design and BPA-free construction. Impressively, it holds nearly 4,000 gleaming reviews and comes in an entire suite of colors to choose from.

For more options, check out our guide to the best pacifiers.

Amazon

Of course, momfluencers are on the go, so we're not at all surprised Ovard swears by the Munchkin Brica Baby Travel Pod. For less than $50, it hails from a top brand in the baby gear space and features breathable mesh panels and a removable and locking steel frame to provide comfort and security.

For more options, check out our guide to the best travel cribs.

Amazon

The Lollipop Baby Monitor is a genius gadget for both you and your baby. This smart camera detects breathing using AI technology to allow you to track your little one's respiratory rate and sleeping position history. What's more, it's locked and loaded with 12 nature sounds and peace music to soothe and comfort your baby.

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.

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