Can you recycle cotton buds?

Cotton buds cannot be recycled: the stems (now paper by law in England, older ones plastic) are too small and the cotton is contaminated after use. Put them in general waste and never flush them — plastic-stemmed buds were once one of the most common beach-litter items. Paper-stemmed buds can go in home compost if only used for craft/makeup.

Tips

• Never flush cotton buds
• Paper-stem buds can be home composted if not heavily soiled

Which bin does it go in?

General waste — NEVER flush

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.

Also searched as: q-tips, ear buds, cotton swabs.