Plastic cotton buds are now banned for sale in the UK (it’s happening worldwide, thanks to this photo of a seahorse clinging to one in the ocean), which went viral). Most shops now sell cotton buds made with cotton or bamboo, hopefully in plastic-free packaging. But it’s still good to support small artisan brands, who are not selling plastic-free, simply due to consumer demand. This box of bamboo cotton buds is made by a small ethical company (industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots eaten by pandas). Jungle Culture also make good buds, made from organic cotton and bamboo.
Most people don’t need cotton buds. You shouldn’t use them to clean ears (this can damage the eardrum, visit the GP instead to get them syringed). They are useful for cleaning fiddly areas (like around computer keys or car gearsticks). But most people use them to remove cosmetics.
Plastic cotton buds are still around in their millions, and have to be binned, as they are very difficult to recycle. Littered cotton buds are just the right shape and size to escape filters in sewers, meaning they often end up in the sea, harming marine wildlife.
