Wet Wipes Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the Wet Wipes Industry

Wet wipes are the cleaning tissues. As for the ESG factors, these wipes have a significant impact on the environment and health, which is a risk factor. Further in this research, we will see a detailed analysis of and impacts of wet wipes.

Wet Wipes are products that are used as a part of personal hygiene and care. These are generally defined as single-used tissues or towels where a maximum part of the wipes is made from artificial materials such as polyester. Most wipes are made with plastic, which causes serious harm to the environment. In addition, micro plastics in wipes can contaminate marine ecosystems and food supplies if they get broken down. Moreover, there are also wipes that are biodegradable or environmentally friendly, which have less impact on the environment. Aquatic animals are exposed to serious risks when they consume wipes that contain plastics that are non-biodegradable and cause death and damage to the ecosystem.

Additionally, in terms of the impacts of wet wipes, it was observed that major issues with wipes were more related to both the environment and health. As far as human health is concerned, solutions contain at least one ingredient that can disrupt the lining of the human body. As it contains Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), another cause of the wipes that causes rashes are allergic reactions. If wipes are manufactured using non-biodegradable materials, it will take millions of years for them to degrade. As mentioned in the above para, when swallowed by marine animals, it can cause death, and this affects the marine life ecosystem. Wipes also pose a significant risk in terms of disposal, and improper disposal adds to the waste risk, which is a worldwide concern.

ESG Trends

The global disposable wipes market has seen a tremendous increase. Thus, consumers are becoming more aware of the transparency of the product, as their demands for environmentally friendly, naturally sourced wipes have increased. Brands are finding ways to maintain competitiveness in the market and ensure product performance in a world where consumers are seeking biodegradable and natural products.

Furthermore, brands have introduced several alternatives for marketing wet wipes. Bamboo wipes and water-based wipes are the most effective alternatives to traditional wipes when it comes to compostable wipes. Other alternatives include reusable water-activated makeup removal towels, dry wipes that eliminate waste and are also less harsh and easily break down, and eco-friendly wipes. It is possible to use eco-friendly toilet paper as an alternative to wet wipes by just adding the wet as you would to a wet wipe. Of course, using recycled toilet paper reduces the use of trees for paper production. All wipes are made from organic ingredients, which exclude toxic materials such as plastic and dyes. As these materials decompose in the environment, they contribute to the environment's health.

ESG Challenges

Speaking about the challenges, wet wipes certainly involve risks that need to be mitigated. To explain it further here are a few of our analyses. To start with, in the low-end market, wet wipes made from plastic are still widespread. The market has not fully accepted degradable wipes. A plastic-containing wipe produces emissions that come from the upstream mining of fossil raw materials, which negatively impacts the environment. When improperly disposed of, the wipes that are not in use are either landfilled or incinerated in the waste disposal phase which leads to an increase in waste. If improperly disposed of, this will further impact the soil and oceans, posing a serious threat to the ecosystem. Additionally, it is believed that biodegradable waste is a viable alternative to wet wipes. However, after analyzing it, it has been found that the disposal of biodegradable waste takes a long time, and its piles cause pollution and poison to wildlife while they clog waterways.

Growth of the Wet Wipes Market

In 2021, the global wet wipe market size was valued at USD 21.5 billion, and annual growth is predicted at 3.6% between 2022 and 2030. A growing number of people are using wet wipes for hygiene purposes, particularly when there is a lack of clean water. The research also highlights key highlights about wet wipes.

Key Companies in this theme

    • The Clorox Company

    • KCWW

    • Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    • Unilever

    • Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc

Scope of the Wet Wipes Industry ESG Thematic Report:

    • Macro-economic and ESG-variable analysis of the industry, including regulatory, policy, and innovation landscape

    • Key insights on infrastructure developments and ESG issues affecting the theme

    • Identify key initiatives and challenges within the industry

    • Identify ESG leaders within the industry

    • Understand key initiatives and the impact of companies within the sector to fuel an informed decision-making process

    • Analysis of industry activities based on multi-media sources, including significant controversies and market sentiment

Key Benefits of the Wet Wipes Industry ESG Thematic Report

    • Developing a comprehensive understanding of macro-economic, Policies & Regulations and innovations affecting the wet wipes sector, globally

    • Key insights into Infrastructure developments and ESG issues affecting the theme

    • Identifying ESG risks and opportunities to business among leading players in the market

    • Obtaining a clear and relevant understanding of company actions, progress, and impact and find opportunities for investment