Five million wet wipes cleared from The Thames

.. and a pair of false teeth - story 133

Crews from the Port of London Authority (PLA) found a pair of false teeth among the 114 tonnes of rubbish removed in a major operation to clear ‘Wet Wipe Island’.

The congealed bank of wet wipes and other domestic waste had altered the river's course and blighted a 250-metre stretch of the foreshore near Hammersmith Bridge.

The PLA launched the project in partnership with Thames21 and Thames Water on August 11, last.

Two large excavators used a special ‘rake and shake’ method to scoop the mess out of the natural sediment.

Excavators on the river bank finish the clearance of 'Wet Wipe Island'. Image credit - Port of London Authority

The removed five million wet wipes as well as towels, scarves, trousers, a car’s engine timing belt, and, of course, the set of false teeth.

Thames21 continue to call for change to stop this happening again. They want government legislation to prevent

plastics entering the environment via wet wipes and other sanitary waste, including producers changing to plastic-free alternatives and water firms increasing investment in sewage infrastructure.

Prime Minister Starmer, I know you are busy, but, over to you.