06 Oct 2020

When the MCS Beachwatch programme began in 1993-1994 plastic cotton bud sticks were one of the regularly recorded items. They were one of the key indicators of sewage related pollution of our beaches and rivers. It has taken 25 years to get a simple substitution of card for plastic. Can we really afford to take […]

23 May 2019

Defra ‘Environment Secretary Michael Gove has today confirmed a ban on plastic straws, drinks stirrers, and plastic stemmed cotton buds in England, following overwhelming public support for the move. Following an open consultation, a ban on the supply of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds will come into force in April 2020. The ban […]

14 Jan 2018

Bob Earll ‘The idea of having biodegradable card instead of plastic for cotton bud sticks has been around for over 20 years. It is a no brainer. So this announcement which forces the obvious change is long overdue. Now for the rest of UK and Europe to follow suit. In the process Governments will get […]