The Great British Beach Clean Report 2017 showed that litter from take away eating and drinking made up 20% of beach litter picked up.
There was a 94% rise in the number of wet wipes found.
Roseanna Cunningham, Environment Secretary in the Scottish Government said:
“Scotland’s sewerage infrastructure collects and treats some 945 million litres of wastewater each day. These systems are not designed to remove small plastic items such as plastic buds which can kill marine animals and birds that swallow them.
“These products are completely unnecessary as biodegradable alternatives are readily available. The need for action is clear and I would encourage everyone with an interest in safeguarding our natural environment to take part in the consultation when it opens.”
Fidra a charity based in East Lothian state that plastic cotton bud stems make up 50% of sewage related items found on UK beaches with Scotland having the highest proportion.
“They have specifically been found in the digestive systems of seabirds and turtles, and in some cases have been directly responsible for the death of the animal involved, through internal damage.” Fidra
Alasdair Neilson project officer at Fidra which runs The Cotton Bud Project said:
“This progressive step will be welcomed by everyone who has seen cotton buds polluting our beaches and harming our wildlife. A ban would support the responsible businesses that have already removed this single-use plastic item from their shelves. Let’s hope it also marks a bigger shift in the way we use and value plastics.”
Bathroom Checklist from Scottish Water
The waste water drain which runs from your house to the public sewer is usually about 4 inches wide, which is less than the diameter of a DVD.
Only flush pee, poo and toilet paper.
Everything else should go in the bin, not down your toilet – check out the bathroom checklist of ‘never flush’ items below:
- all wipes (baby, personal cleansing, toilet and household cleaning) – even if the pack says ‘flushable’
- sanitary items (sanitary towels, tampons, liners, applicators and backing strips;
- cotton wool, cotton buds, disposable nappies and nappy liners
- condoms, incontinence pads, colostomy bags, used bandages and contact lenses
