Bill Overview
Title: WIPPES Act
Description: This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue regulations requiring entities responsible for the labeling or retail packaging of certain premoistened, nonwoven wipes (e.g., baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or personal care wipes) to label such products clearly and conspicuously with the phrase Do Not Flush and accompanying symbol as depicted under specified industry guidelines. The commission is authorized to enforce this requirement. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency must award competitive grants to states, local or tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, or public-private partnerships to increase community outreach about such labels.
Sponsors: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Target Audience
Population: People using premoistened, nonwoven wipes
Estimated Size: 300000000
- The bill targets the labeling of premoistened, nonwoven wipes, such as baby wipes and personal care wipes, which are widely used by consumers globally.
- Flushable wipes often cause issues with wastewater systems, leading to increased maintenance costs and environmental impacts.
- Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of these wipe products will have to change their labeling practices, impacting their operations.
- Wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure will benefit from reduced incidence of clogs and maintenance issues when these products are not flushed.
- Consumers worldwide will be affected as they will receive clearer instructions on wipe disposal, potentially changing their disposal habits.
- The grants section will influence local governments and non-profits who may receive funding to conduct outreach and education on the importance of proper wipe disposal.
Reasoning
- The simulated population encompasses various demographics within the US, including parents using baby wipes, individuals using personal care wipes, and companies involved in the manufacturing and distribution of these wipes.
- This policy directly influences consumers who need to adapt to new disposal instructions. It also impacts government bodies involved in wastewater management as these policies aim to reduce system blockages caused by improperly disposed wipes.
- The grants provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will focus on community education, aiding in reducing flushing habits of non-flushable wipes.
- Budget constraints would likely limit the extent of outreach and education possible within the first year.
- Long-term gains in environmental wellbeing and potential reductions in municipal maintenance costs can offset some initial investments in community education and rebranding.
Simulated Interviews
Stay-at-home mom (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It seems like a good idea to have clearer instructions on wipes. I wouldn’t want to cause plumbing issues for us by flushing wipes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Plumber (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this stops people from flushing wipes, it will make my job easier!
- Less blockages means fewer emergency calls and happier customers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental activist (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Glad to see more attention on environmental impact, but wish it included compostable options as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Wastewater treatment facility manager (Lincoln, NE)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This should reduce the number of issues we face with clogged systems. It’s a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retail store manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Label changes might confuse customers initially, but it’s better for the community in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Non-profit consultant (Austin, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grants for educational outreach are crucial to drive local change and awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
College student (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I didn’t even know flushing wipes was a problem. I’ll definitely stop, it’s a simple change to benefit the environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small business owner (Detroit, MI)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Label changes will increase costs for us in the short term, but it might raise environmental awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see measures being taken, hope it’s managed well and reaches people effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
City official (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our city has been struggling with clogged systems caused by wipes, this policy could save operational costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Year 3: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Year 5: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Year 10: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Year 100: $80000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $85000000)
Key Considerations
- Compliance costs for manufacturers and retailers could raise production and retail prices for affected products.
- The FTC enforcement would need synchronization with existing labeling laws to avoid duplication of efforts and minimize compliance burdens.
- Grant execution would require rigorous monitoring to ensure effectiveness in outreach and education campaigns.