When was the last time you used cotton buds, maybe this morning or later this week? Let's admit that we all love cotton buds, don't we? Cotton bud has multiple uses, from removing extra eyeliner to adjusting lipstick to eyebrow blend to whatnot. It is also a best friend for the beginner's painter as with it they can create some magical work. Some people do not resist themselves because of ear wax problems. However, we don't encourage any such use. The humble cotton bud is a multitasking player, taking care of anything and almost everything.   

Do you Know Whether the Cotton Bud is Good for the Environment or not?

According to a survey on a UK beach, every 100 metres, a cotton bud is found. Between 2015 and 2018, cotton buds are amongst the top ten items found in the Marine Conservation Society's Great British Beach Clean. This tiny little thing may look insignificant, but it can cost the lives of living beings.

Every year thousands of cotton buds are dumped into the sea. Yes, it's true. Despite the best efforts in sewage treatment, it is something that can reach the sea easily. Cotton buds contain plastic. The stem that contains plastic is called polypropylene which is extremely difficult to break down.             

There are many reasons why plastic cotton buds reach the sea, and one such is toilet flush. Without giving any second thought, we simply flush the cotton bud. Next, it enters the sewage system, and the sewage system is pumped out far from the sea. Polypropylene is very light in weight and very easy to float. Because polypropylene is very light, thin, and small, it easily overcomes the physical barrier of the sewage system. 

How Dangerous are Cotton Buds for Sea's Creatures?

One of the major problems is that it is very difficult to break down. But after some time, it does break into such small pieces that it becomes difficult to see through the naked eye. Quicker plastic breaks down into microplastics; it often worsens the Environment.  

Over time, they only get smaller and become fodder for small fish. The intake of these microplastics causes damage to their digestive system, which eventually leads to death.  

It is dangerous for large fish, too, as they eat small fish that have already eaten microplastic. These plastics become indigestible and thus create digestive problems in the big fish.  

These cotton buds are often coated with flame retardants and non-scratch layers to look pleasing to the eyes. When plastics break down, toxic chemicals from these sticks also get released into the water. These chemicals impact sea creatures and us when we swim, surf, or bathe in the ocean. They are generally linked to thyroid problems in humans and animals.

What is the Solution to Plastic Cotton Buds?

Since we have mentioned multiple uses of cotton buds in the introduction paragraph, not using them is not a solution. One of the effective solutions is using bamboo cotton buds. As we all know, bamboo is a kind of wood and does not harm the environment. So opting for bamboo cotton buds is a perfect solution as they are as useful as plastic cotton buds. One of the best suggestions here is Biodegradable Bamboo Cotton Buds by Auklet. It is the perfect product that can meet your multiple uses of cotton buds, plus it is 100% pure. Make sure to check it out at EazyOnline today!