Summer, the Sea, and Invisible Plastic: Why Do We Still Find Cotton Swabs on the Beaches?

Summer is the time when we seek out nature, the sea breeze, and relaxation on the beaches. Yet, all it takes is a walk along the shoreline to come across a very different reality: small, rigid tubes of colored plastic poking out from among the shells and sand.

We’re talking about the classic disposable plastic cotton swabs. Tiny objects, designed to be used for just a few seconds, but destined to remain in the ecosystem for centuries.

A Ban on Paper: What European Law Says

On July 3, 2021, EU Directive 2019/904 (known as the SUP Directive—Single-Use Plastics) officially entered into force in the European Union. This legislation was enacted with a clear objective: to ban the production and sale of the single-use plastic products most frequently found on European beaches.

Among the first products to be banned are straws, disposable cutlery, and cotton swabs with plastic stems.

In Italy: Formal transposition took place via Legislative Decree 196/2021, confirming the ban on the sale of existing stocks of traditional plastic products.

The Data Speaks: Why Do We Still Find So Many?

If the law has been in place for years, how is it possible that we continue to find them on our beaches?

Legambiente’s surveys (Beach Litter) and data collected from Mediterranean beaches paint a grim picture:

• Plastic Dominance: Plastic continues to account for about 78–80% of the total waste recorded on beaches.
• The scourge of cotton swabs: Despite bans, cotton swabs still account for over 5% of the total waste found on the shoreline (and represent about 13–14% of items regulated by the SUP Directive alone).
• A Constant Presence: On average, hundreds of pieces of litter are found per 100 meters of coastline during monitoring surveys, and cotton swabs consistently rank among the top five most common categories of items.

The main reason for this persistent presence lies in two factors: on the one hand, improper disposal in the past (flushing them down the toilet means they end up directly in rivers and oceans via the sewer system), and on the other hand, the slow rate of degradation.

From the Beach to the Food Chain: The Threat of Microplastics

Plastic does not biodegrade—it breaks down into smaller pieces.

Under the effects of UV rays, wave action, and salt, a single plastic straw breaks down over time into thousands of tiny fragments smaller than 5 millimeters: microplastics. And this is what happens next:

1. Marine ingestion: Fish, shellfish, and sea turtles mistake these fragments for food.
2. Bioaccumulation: Toxins from plastic move up the food chain.
3. Human impact: Recent scientific studies have detected the presence of microplastics not only in the fish we eat, but even in table salt, drinking water (both bottled and tap), and human tissues.

A Small Gesture for a Big Change

The problem of single-use plastics cannot be solved by regulatory bans alone, but requires a genuine shift in our everyday mindset. Continuing to rely on disposable products—even if they’re made of paper or biodegradable materials that still end up in the trash after just a few seconds—perpetuates the single-use mindset.

Changing our personal hygiene habits by choosing smart, eco-friendly solutions designed to last is the first step toward ensuring that future summers bring cleaner beaches and healthier oceans.

What do you find most often during your walks on the beach?

Tell us in the comments below or share this article to raise awareness among friends and family about a small gesture that makes a big difference for our ocean!