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A line up of recyclable characters with smiling faces peeping out from behind a box: a perfume bottle, deodorant can, toilet roll tube, spray bottle and yoghurt pot. A headline above them reads: Rescue Me! Recycle

Cotton buds

Recycle at home

Are cotton buds recyclable?

  • Cotton buds are not recyclable, even those with paper stems, and should be put in the waste bin.

  • Never flush them down the toilet as they can block systems and pollute the environment.

Good to know

Plastic stemmed cotton buds have been banned in England since April 2020, along with plastic straws and drinks stirrers.

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