Green Planet Films is producing a new documentary intended for international broadcast called WIPE OUT. The program will take a global focus on the wet wipes industry, where the 2017-2021 growth rate is estimated to be 6.8% for both consumer and industrial segments combined. Convenience and hygiene are key to many and now wipes for all types of use are being developed. While most are not meant to be flushed, the film will focus on the personal ‘flushable’ wipes segment.

“I had no idea what flushable wipes were and the problems wastewater treatment plants and some homeowners were having with clogs and the associated costs,” says Green Planet Films founder Suzanne Harle. “While on vacation one day, I was kayaking in bad weather and ditched my kayak at a small town beach in Stonington, CT where a white work truck was parked and I saw men looking down a drain. One man said he managed the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and offered help. He loaded my kayak in the back of the truck and took me to where my kayak was stored. Within seconds of being in the truck, he started talking about the problems of wipes being flushed and causing havoc in drains and at the WWTP. He said the biggest problem is public education. I immediately thought of making a film on this topic and started researching. I saw commonalities in global cities like Washington DC, London, Paris, Valencia and Sydney, and all are dealing with the same clogging situations. Some public awareness campaigns by Wastewater districts have been successful and we will look at those too.”

Green Planet Films is seeking additional funding and marketing outreach partners.