Cotton buds among items to be banned in UK as Government brings in new controls on plastic in 2020

Cotton buds, along with straws and drink stirrers are among items to be banned from April 2020 under Government plans to reduce the damage of single-use plastics on the environment.

 The ban was confirmed by environmental secretary Michael Gove last week (May 22) after an open consultation, which demonstrated overwhelming public support for the move. 

Cotton buds are a common consumable for clinics and salons however they are alsoin the top 10 most common marine litter items that get washed up on the world’s beaches, and many use plastic-based adhesives to secure the cotton tips.  It is also estimated that, even though non-plastic alternatives are available, 95% of straws are still plastic. 

Under the ban, shops and supermarkets will no longer be allowed to sell the plastic items, while bars and restaurants cannot display straws or stirrers or hand them out.  

The only exemption will be for those with medical needs or disabilities. This means that restaurants, bars and other businesses will be able to provide plastic straws on request for disabled customers. Registered pharmacies will also be allowed to sell them over the counter or online.   

In a statement Gove said, “Urgent and decisive action is needed to tackle plastic pollution and protect our environment. These items are often used for just a few minutes but take hundreds of years to break down, ending up in our seas and oceans and harming precious marine life. So, today I am taking action to turn the tide on plastic pollution, and ensure we leave our environment in a better state for future generations.”