In an effort to turn the tide on plastic pollution, the UK plans to ban the distribution and sale of cotton swabs, plastic straws, and other single-use plastic products.

In an effort to turn the tide on plastic pollution, the UK plans to ban the distribution and sale of cotton swabs, plastic straws, and other single-use plastic products. Under the plans, pharmacies would still be able to sell plastic straws and restaurants, pubs, and bars could stock the items to be used on request. It is estimated that 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton swabs are used each year in England, with approximately 10% of swabs winding up being flushed down toilets.