London’s Wet Wipe Island: Historic Thames Clean-Up Underway
A massive “Wet Wipe Island,” composed of approximately 180 tonnes of congealed wet wipes, is currently being removed from the River Thames near Hammersmith Bridge. This artificial island, which has altered the river’s flow and impacted aquatic life, formed over years from flushable wipes that overwhelmed the city’s sewer system. The clean-up operation, led by the Port of London Authority, involves using mechanical excavators to carefully remove the wipes while minimizing disturbance to the riverbed. The findings of this project and the waste analysis are expected to bolster support for legislation banning plastic in wet wipes, and improve the environment.
John Q. Hosedrinker