UK Edition
Johnson & Johnson ditch plastic cotton buds to save oceans
Cotton buds made by the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson will no longer have plastic handles to prevent toxic waste reaching waterways and seas.
Plastic cotton buds are the number one item of plastic, sewage-related debris found on our beaches and rivers, according to the last year’s Marine Conservation Society's Great British Beach Clean.
The switch to paper handles began on Monday, and the new products will be on shop shelves in Britain within the coming weeks. Johnson & Johnson said it will prevent tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic reaching the seas.
Niamh Finan, Group Marketing Manager, “We recognise that our products have an environmental footprint, and that’s why we’re working hard to continually improve and champion best practice in sustainability, in line with our company’s founding principles.”
The change came following a campaign by Scottish environmentalists Fidra, who have been calling for companies to switch to paper stems since 2013.
Dr Clare Cavers, Research Officer, Fidra, said: "We commend Johnson & Johnson for leading this change in product material, it is an important part of the solution to the growing problem of plastic pollution in our seas.
“A step change in consumer behaviour is needed to ensure people dispose of waste responsibly and only flush toilet paper.”
Each year more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally, and 10 per cent will end up in the sea.
It is estimated that there is now a 1:2 ratio of plastic to plankton and, left unchecked, plastic will outweigh fish by 2050.
Environmental activists A Plastic Planet are hoping to persuade British supermarkets to bring in a plastic free aisle, and the government is considering adding a tax to plastic bottles which can be claimed back when they are recycled.
Dr Sue Kinsey, Senior Pollution Policy Officer, Marine Conservation Society, said: “The amount of cotton bud sticks our volunteer beach cleaners have found on UK beaches have doubled since 2012 from an average of 11 to 24 for every 100metres of beach cleaned.
“So we’re delighted that Johnson & Johnson have listened to consumer concerns and have changed from plastic to paper for their cotton bud sticks. This will certainly decrease the amount of plastic reaching our seas.
“However, we urge everyone to remember a very simple message – only the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper should go down the toilet , everything else should go in the bin.”