This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46835573
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Wet wipes to get 'Fine to Flush' logo to tackle fatbergs | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A new standard for flushable wet wipes has been announced, amid concerns about sewer-blocking fatbergs. | |
| Water UK, the industry body, says wipes will need to pass strict tests to receive the approved logo, Fine to Flush. | Water UK, the industry body, says wipes will need to pass strict tests to receive the approved logo, Fine to Flush. |
| It said wet wipes labelled flushable do not break down and are behind 93% of blockages in UK sewers. | It said wet wipes labelled flushable do not break down and are behind 93% of blockages in UK sewers. |
| They contribute to fatbergs - solid masses of fat, wet wipes and grease, which can be hundreds of feet long. | They contribute to fatbergs - solid masses of fat, wet wipes and grease, which can be hundreds of feet long. |
| There are an estimated 300,000 sewer blockages each year, costing the country £100 million, Water UK said. | There are an estimated 300,000 sewer blockages each year, costing the country £100 million, Water UK said. |
| "This is an important step in the battle against blockages. We've all seen the impact of fatbergs recently, and we want to see fewer of them," said Michael Roberts, chief executive, of Water UK. | "This is an important step in the battle against blockages. We've all seen the impact of fatbergs recently, and we want to see fewer of them," said Michael Roberts, chief executive, of Water UK. |
| A 210ft (64m) fatberg found near Sidmouth this week is the biggest South West Water (SWW) has found and expected to take about eight weeks to remove. | A 210ft (64m) fatberg found near Sidmouth this week is the biggest South West Water (SWW) has found and expected to take about eight weeks to remove. |
| Others have been found, including an 820ft (250m) fatberg weighing 130 tonnes which blocked a Victorian-era sewer in east London in 2017 and took nine weeks to remove. | Others have been found, including an 820ft (250m) fatberg weighing 130 tonnes which blocked a Victorian-era sewer in east London in 2017 and took nine weeks to remove. |
| The Fine to Flush tests, set out in a 30 page document, scrutinise whether the wipes are able to clear the u-bend, avoid snagging and avoid chemical residues. | The Fine to Flush tests, set out in a 30 page document, scrutinise whether the wipes are able to clear the u-bend, avoid snagging and avoid chemical residues. |
| The tests are being carried out by Swindon-based WRc. | The tests are being carried out by Swindon-based WRc. |
| Andy Drinkwater, who is in charge of the tests, said one product, from Natracare, will meet the standard. | Andy Drinkwater, who is in charge of the tests, said one product, from Natracare, will meet the standard. |
| However, Natracare wipes will not initially display the logo as the packaging was ready before the Fine to Flush image was finalised. | However, Natracare wipes will not initially display the logo as the packaging was ready before the Fine to Flush image was finalised. |
| There are seven or so other products being tested by WRc at the moment, Mr Drinkwater said. | There are seven or so other products being tested by WRc at the moment, Mr Drinkwater said. |
| Testing each product can cost up to £8,0000, he added. | Testing each product can cost up to £8,0000, he added. |
| Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We know that there is huge confusion for consumers on which products can be flushed, resulting in millions being spent on blockages every year." | Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We know that there is huge confusion for consumers on which products can be flushed, resulting in millions being spent on blockages every year." |