Ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic: Island Communities Impact Assessment

2. Gather your data and identify your stakeholders

What data is available about the current situation in the islands?

Data is available on the extent and composition of marine litter on islands. The majority of this comes from NGOs, volunteer surveys, or citizen science projects, and hence is not evenly spread throughout or between islands. In recent years, the Scottish Islands Federation Marine Litter Working Group has collaborated with other organisations to increase beach cleaning activity on the islands, with an increase in data gathered in 2023^[11].

The National Plan for Scotland's Islands can provide high level data on: population levels; sustainable economic development; transport; housing and fuel poverty; digital connectivity; health, social care and wellbeing; environmental wellbeing and biosecurity; climate change and energy; empowered island communities and strong local partnerships; arts, culture and language; and education. The National Islands Plan encapsulates the islands as a whole with little breakdown for each specific island.

The Marine Directorate published Attitudes in Scotland on the Marine Environment and Marine Issues (2019). This marine social attitudes survey provides data on, amongst other issues: leisure activities at the coast; environmental concerns; and economic and social values of the marine environment. This survey is from a national perspective, and not solely islands focused.

Do you need to consult?

Yes. A joint UK-wide public consultation on proposals to ban wet wipes containing plastic was hosted by Defra, and ran from 14 October to 25 November 2023. A joint government response was published on 22 April 2024, alongside the Scottish Government announcement of our intention to introduce a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic. All four UK nations will implement a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic. The consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for a ban, with over 93% of respondents supporting a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic.

1,561 responses to the consultation were received through the survey hosted on Citizen Space and via email, from individual members of the public, NGOs, and businesses. The UK Government (Defra) has conducted individual engagement interviews and stakeholder group sessions with relevant businesses prior to, during, and following the consultation period, including those based in Scotland. These included manufacturers and retailers, as well as industry representative bodies. A wide range of producers have engaged with the process. The consultation responses and stakeholder feedback have all provided useful information and evidence which has fed into the legislation and the final impact assessments, including this ICIA.

Prior to this consultation, several public engagement exercises had been run on the subject of wet wipes, demonstrating wide engagement and that the issue has long been in the national consciousness.

In October 2020 the Scottish Government launched a public consultation on items listed under Article 5 of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Responses from this consultation supported the development of legislation banning some of the most problematic single-use plastic products. It became an offence to manufacture and supply single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, plates, and polystyrene cups and food containers, and an offence to supply single-use plastic straws and balloon sticks. Responses also provided evidence for further policy development, with 94% in favour of market restrictions on additional single-use plastic products, including wet wipes containing plastic.

In Defra’s 2021 public Call for Evidence on commonly littered single-use plastic items, 96% of respondents supported a potential ban on wet wipes containing plastic. Defra published a response to the Call for Evidence in February 2023.

In September 2022, we published our updated Marine Litter Strategy and Action Plan, following a public consultation. An action under Strategic Direction 2 states the intention to ‘Investigate the potential for legislation to ban the manufacture and sale of wet wipes containing plastic, with a requirement that any alternatives do not impact on the environment’.

How does any existing data differ between islands?

Data is available on the extent and composition of marine litter on islands. The majority of this comes from NGOs, volunteer surveys, or citizen science projects, and hence is not evenly spread throughout or between islands.

In recent years, the Scottish Islands Federation Marine Litter Working Group has collaborated with other organisations to increase beach cleaning activity on islands, with an increase in data gathered in 2023. Some of this data shows that beach litter composition differs between some Scottish islands and the mainland, and also between islands themselves. For example, some Scottish islands record higher levels of litter originating from marine industries, when compared with some mainland locations. This data availability is not evenly spread throughout or between islands.

Are there any existing design features or mitigations in place?

There are no design features or mitigations required for this policy. The ban will be of benefit to the whole of Scotland, irrespective of location or island status.