Scotland bans plastic stemmed cotton buds

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to ban plastic stemmed cotton buds as part of attempts to reduce single use plastics.

The move comes after the Scottish Government banned single-use coffee cups in its main buildings in a bid to cut pollution, while plans for a deposit return scheme moved forward earlier this year with confirmation the system will be based on a 20p deposit and cover PET plastic, steel, aluminium and glass.

Environmental campaigners welcomed the decision, with Marine Conservation Society Scotland Conservation Officer Catherine Gemmell saying volunteers had picked up over 150,000 plastic cotton bud sticks from Scottish beaches over the last 25 years.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am proud that the Scottish Government has become the first UK administration to ban plastic-stemmed cotton buds, with Regulations laid in Parliament on 2 September now coming into force.

“Single-use plastic products are not only wasteful but generate unnecessary litter that blights our beautiful beaches and green spaces while threatening our wildlife on land and at sea.

“This ban builds on work already underway to address Scotland’s throw-away culture, and we will continue to take action on other problematic items in the coming years as part of our efforts to reduce harmful plastics and single-use items, protect our environment and develop a thriving circular economy.

“We are facing a global climate emergency and must all work together to reduce, reuse and recycle to ensure a sustainable future for the current and next generation.”