The Cotton Bud Project, removing plastic stems from the marine environment

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PLASTIC FREE BEACHES
KEEP PLASTIC COTTON BUDS OUT OF MARINE LITTER

Plastic cotton buds disposed of down toilets enter the sewage system
Storm events and blockages result in the release of plastic cotton buds out to sea with untreated sewage
The physical structure of plastic cotton buds enables them to bypass the filters of many waste water treatment works and be released to sea with treated sewage
At sea plastic cotton buds can attract and concentrate background pollutants to toxic levels
Mistaken for food by many animals, plastic cotton buds and the toxins coating them can enter the food chain

Brands of Non Plastic Cotton Buds - Our Good Buddies

Environment Secretary, Scottish Government, Roseanna Cunningham:

“The Cotton Bud Project and its goal to drive change within the industry towards the use of alternatives to plastic sticks is a great example of the valuable work that Fidra do raising awareness of marine litter issues and contributing to the implementation of Scotland’s first Marine Litter Strategy.”

Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies

“We partnered with Fidra to announce the news of our conversion from plastic to paper sticks in the UK in March 2016. In April 2017, we saw the first paper sticks arrive on retailer shelves in the UK. This was an exciting moment for us, for Fidra and for our consumers!”

MCS Conservation Officer Catherine Gemmel:

“It has been incredible to work with Fidra on their brilliant Cotton Bud Project and it highlights the power of partnership working…Both MCS and Fidra recognise that it’s the actions and inspiration from our volunteers around the entire country which truly influences the changes that our seas need”

Michael Harris | Category Technical Manager | Household & Pet
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

“It’s a long and complex process to change consumer behaviour so as not to flush cotton buds.... whilst cotton buds shouldn’t be being flushed, they will continue to be flushed - at least in the short term. Changing to a paper stem would make the stem biodegradable and avoid persistent plastic stems remaining in the environment.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful
“As an environmental charity we aim to help people change the way they think about Scotland’s environment and encourage them to take action to improve and protect it. We are proud to support The Cotton Bud Project, and will actively encourage people to take the good buddy pledge and to dispose of used cotton buds in a bin, rather than flush them down the toilet”.