{"product_id":"bamboo-cotton-buds","title":"Cotton Buds | 10 packs (1000pcs)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBamboo stems, 100% cotton tips, plastic-free packaging. 1000 in a box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlastic cotton bud stems were a top-10 single-use plastic on European beaches — banned in the EU in 2021. Bamboo stems, 100% cotton tips, 1000 in a box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eStems\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eBamboo\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eTips\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e100% cotton\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQuantity\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e1000 (10 × 100)\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003ePackaging\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003ePlastic-free\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMaterials\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBamboo\u003c\/strong\u003e (~60%) — \u003cem\u003eStem\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNaturally strong and biodegradable. Stiffer than plastic stems — they don’t bend or flex during use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCotton\u003c\/strong\u003e (~40%) — \u003cem\u003eTips\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e100% pure cotton. No synthetic fibres, no polyester blend. Both tips are cotton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat we left out\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlastic stems\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePolypropylene stems are still the norm, even in the UK after the EU ban (the UK didn’t adopt it). They take 300+ years to degrade. Found among the top-10 beach litter items across Europe (European Commission, 2019) — banned in the EU since 2021. Bamboo composts in months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolyester-blend tips\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Material)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany ’cotton’ buds blend polyester into the tips to reduce cost. The synthetic fibres shed microplastics during use (Napper \u0026amp; Thompson, 2016). Ours are 100% cotton, disclosed on the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChlorine-bleached cotton\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Processing)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost mass-market cotton is chlorine-bleached for whiteness — residual dioxins can remain in the fibre. We use unbleached or peroxide-bleached cotton only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlastic packaging\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Packaging)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCardboard box. No shrink-wrap, no cellophane window, no inner plastic bag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy we built it this way\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBamboo stems — stiffer than polypropylene plastic, fully biodegradable in months not centuries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100% cotton tips — no synthetic fibre blends. Some ‘cotton’ buds mix polyester into the tips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1000 per box (10 packs of 100) — 3–6 months supply, fewer orders, less packaging waste\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlastic cotton bud stems are a top-10 single-use plastic on European beaches (European Commission, 2019)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEU banned plastic cotton buds in 2021 — but the bamboo alternatives still vary in quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo plastic in the packaging — cardboard box, no cellophane window, no shrink wrap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompostable — both stem and tips break down naturally in garden compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBamboo grows up to a metre per day — no pesticides, no irrigation needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-purpose — makeup, cleaning, crafts, electronics. Same applications as plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs with Boar Bristle Toothbrush — more single-use plastic swaps for the bathroom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen one pack at a time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe box contains 10 individually packed bundles of 100. Keep the rest sealed for freshness and hygiene.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse as normal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSame as any cotton bud. Makeup application, skincare, cleaning small surfaces. The bamboo stem is stiffer than plastic — more control, less flex.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDispose responsibly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHome compost or general waste. The bamboo stem composts in weeks, the cotton tips biodegrade fully. Never flush — even biodegradable buds can block pipes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre bamboo cotton buds better than plastic?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlastic cotton bud stems were a top-10 single-use plastic found on European beaches — banned in the EU since 2021 (European Commission, 2019). Bamboo stems compost in months vs 300+ years for polypropylene. But check the tips too — some ‘bamboo’ cotton buds blend polyester into the cotton tips. Ours are 100% cotton, no synthetic fibres.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre they as sturdy as plastic ones?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBamboo is stiffer than plastic — they don’t bend or flex during use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy 1000?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s a bulk pack — 10 boxes of 100. Works out well if you use them daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre the tips pure cotton?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. 100% cotton, no synthetic fibres mixed in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I use them for makeup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The cotton tips are soft enough for applying and removing makeup, cleaning up eyeliner, etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre they safe for ears?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike all cotton buds, these aren’t recommended for ear canals. They’re designed for makeup, cleaning, and general use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow should I dispose of them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompost the bamboo stem. The cotton tips biodegrade. Don’t flush them — even biodegradable ones shouldn’t go down the toilet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is the packaging not plastic-free?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is. Cardboard box, no plastic window, no cellophane wrap. Some brands put a plastic window in the box so you can see the buds — we don’t.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eResearch\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEuropean Commission\u003c\/strong\u003e (2019). \u003cem\u003eSingle-Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019\/904)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCotton bud sticks identified as one of the top 10 single-use plastic items found on European beaches — banned from sale in EU member states from July 2021\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarine Conservation Society\u003c\/strong\u003e (2020). \u003cem\u003eGreat British Beach Clean Report\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCotton bud sticks were the 5th most common litter item on UK beaches — an average of 15 per 100m of shoreline surveyed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNapper IE, Thompson RC\u003c\/strong\u003e (2016). \u003cem\u003eMarine Pollution Bulletin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSynthetic polymer products shed microplastic particles during use and disposal. Polypropylene cotton bud stems fragment into smaller particles over years in marine environments rather than biodegrading. Bamboo and cotton, by contrast, return to soil within months through natural microbial decomposition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEso World\u003c\/strong\u003e publishes every material in every product. The full materials list, exclusion list, and citations live on the product page.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eso World","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54111653626196,"sku":"FP-BUNDLE-CTNBUD-10PCS","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1024\/5655\/7908\/files\/104A1903_Edited.jpg?v=1775337017","url":"https:\/\/esoworld.myshopify.com\/products\/bamboo-cotton-buds","provider":"Eso World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}