Go Greener
The Humble Cotton Bud
“Water authorities around Australia say people flushing cotton buds down the toilet are creating one of their biggest headaches for sewerage treatment, fuelling calls for a national ban on the plastic stemmed swabs” – Pressure builds to broaden bud ban (SMH, June 5 2021)
Cotton buds were first developed by Leo Gersteenzang in the 1920’s. Since then, cotton buds can be found in almost every bathroom. While it is not recommended that they are placed in the ears, they have a variety of other uses that make them such a common household item. For example, they can be used for makeup application and removal, cleaning wounds and hard to reach places in areas around the home as well as arts and crafts activities. While infinitely useful, they have a disastrous impact on the environment.
A cotton bud is made of a spindle (plastic, bamboo or paper) and a cotton swab (requiring vast amounts of water and pesticides to produce). Plastic or cardboard are then used to package the cotton buds for the consumer. To make matters worse, they are a single use item.
According to the National Litter index of 2018-2019, the plastic stick from cotton buds and lollipops were the 6th most littered item in NSW accounting for 1.2% of littered plastic objects. If cotton buds make their way into our waterways and oceans, they can have a terrible impact on marine life. Not only do they cause marine creatures to feel full if eaten resulting in their death from starvation, the plastic breaks down into microparticles that absorb poisonous toxins present in the water.
What can you do about this?
- Ditch the disposables and buy reusable silicone cotton buds that can be easily cleaned with soap and water
- Give up single use cotton buds and switch to reusable and washable cotton pads to remove or touch up makeup
- Think of other things to clean those hard to reach places such as a bamboo toothbrush or a toothpick that can be composted
- If you absolutely must use single use cotton buds, ensure you buy compostable ones with no plastic sticks or packaging and use them sparingly
The NSW Government is about to release its overdue plastic policy. You can read the Cleaning up our act: redirecting the future of plastic in NSW discussion paper here.
If plastic cotton buds are not on the banned list of plastic items, take action by writing to Matt Kean MP, the Minster for Energy and the Environment and your local member to voice your concerns. Small actions make a difference.
Sue Zipfinger
Maailma Environment Committee
