Yes, plastic-stemmed cotton buds are banned in many places, especially across Australia (states like SA, WA, Vic, QLD, NSW have bans) and the EU/UK, to reduce marine pollution, though exemptions often exist for medical or professional use, and they are being replaced by paper or bamboo alternatives.
From 01 September 2023, plastic stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls and plates and plastic pizza savers were banned. And from 01 September 2024, the ban will be extended to include plastic barrier bags, boutique-style plastic bags and single-use plastic beverage containers – including coffee cups. More here.
Good to know. Plastic stemmed cotton buds have been banned in England since April 2020, along with plastic straws and drinks stirrers.
Australia doesn't have a national ban on microbeads. Instead, several states and territories have implemented their own rules targeting "rinse-off" personal care products — such as face scrubs and body washes — as part of broader single-use plastic restrictions.
Yes, single-use plastic straws are largely banned across Australia, with bans in place in most states and territories by mid-2025, though specific implementation dates and items vary slightly by jurisdiction, with some final exemptions ending by late 2025. While some states moved earlier, new national targets and expanded bans (like for attached straws on pre-packaged items) are coming into effect, ensuring a comprehensive phase-out of these items by late 2025, with exemptions for medical needs.
From 1 October 2023, the following items are subject to bans: Single use plastic cutlery. Single use plastic balloon sticks. Expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers.
Plastic bottles take a very long time to decompose, ranging from 450 to 1000 years in landfills.
Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that can help counter the negative effects of microplastics. Filtered water helps your body flush out microplastics. High-fiber diets help your body get rid of plastic in your waste by promoting bowel movements.
Unfortunately, Ziploc bags are generally single-use products, as reusing them requires cleaning and caring for them (Bennett).
Indonesia tops global microplastic dietary intake at 15 grams per month – over a tablespoon of plastic ingested per capita. Malaysia, at 12 grams per month, ranks second, while Vietnam and the Philippines saw 11 grams of MP consumption per person per month.
Replace your disposable cotton buds with these reusable swabs made of bamboo with silicone tips. Whether it's cleaning ears, touching up make-up, perfecting nail varnish, cleaning delicate household items, or removing gunk from your keyboard, these silicone swabs are perfect for the job.
There is a risk when using straws of one or two teeth getting coated with the beverage because of where you position the straw. If the liquid is always hitting the same area, you could wind up with uneven staining or cavities in impacted teeth.
Circling back to the main question: does “100% cotton” mean a garment is plastic-free? No, most likely it doesn't. We identified four areas in which hidden plastic is used in garments. And when you look around you'll note that this hidden plastic is unfortunately in almost all garments, also in ours at the moment.
You won't be able to buy any of these products in shops other than pharmacies, though catering establishments will still be allowed to supply plastic straws to people that request one. All businesses that supply these products to customers are included in this ban, including retailers and restaurants.
Most of the plastic in our oceans comes from land-based sources: by weight, 70% to 80% is plastic that is transported from land to the sea via rivers or coastlines. The other 20% to 30% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels.
About 79% of all plastic products end up in landfills or the natural environment (oceans, rivers, soil) because of insufficient recycling and disposal, with only 9% recycled and 12% incinerated, creating persistent pollution that breaks down into microplastics and contaminates ecosystems globally, notes the United Nations Development Programme and Plastic Soup Foundation.
Plastics can be harmful to human health, but aside from this, cling film is a single-use product.
Surprising items you shouldn't put in your curbside recycling include plastic bags, shredded paper, Styrofoam, greasy pizza boxes, coffee cups with plastic lining, batteries, clothes hangers, and ceramics/Pyrex, as they contaminate batches or jam machinery. Soft plastics, soiled paper, and small items like bottle caps are also common culprits that belong in the trash or special drop-offs, not the regular bin.
Unlike other film plastic bags, frozen food bags contain an extra layer to keep the food fresh. These are not recyclable and go to landfill.
Microplastics have also been found on the surface of a variety of fruit and vegetables. One study found apples and carrots to be the most contaminated and lettuce the least.
A study released in 2024 found the rate of heart attacks, stroke and death was 4.5 times higher in people who had microplastics in the plaque clogging their neck arteries, compared to those who didn't.
Microplastics may cause changes in the intestinal microbiome, resulting in an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria, which can lead to various gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
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Find a recycling drop-off center for flexible plastic film near you. They accept grocery bags, plastic wrap, shipping mailers, and so much more. Recycling these items helps produce new products with a reduced carbon footprint, and helps keep plastics out of our environment.