It's worked! After more than 150,000 of you signed our petition over at 38 Degrees, eight major retailers have now agreed to phase out plastic cotton buds by the end of 2017 following concern over the number that are ending up on our beaches.

Two environmental organisations, City to Sea (us!) and Fidra, have been calling for retailers to phase out plastic-stemmed cotton and switch to paper to cut down the amount of plastic ending up on our beaches and in our rivers. Our 'Switch the Stick' campaign has also been supported by over 150,000 members of 38 Degrees. To the delight of all, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, BootsUK, Lidl and Superdrug have communicated their commitment to ensure their own label cotton bud products will be made with paper stems by the end of 2017.

A Tesco’s spokesperson commented: “We’re committed to ensuring all of our own label cotton bud products will be made with paper stems, and will do this by the end of 2017.”

Similarly, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We have been working hard to improve this product. Our new cotton buds, with 100% biodegradable stems, will be available before the end of 2017.”

An Asda spokesperson said: “This is an area where we’re working hard to make a difference and we’re pleased to confirm that all our own brand cotton buds products will be made with paper stems by 2017.”

And an Aldi spokesperson said: "As a responsible retailer, we are committed to removing plastic from our cotton buds by the end of 2017.”

Natalie Fee, City to Sea founder: “We’re delighted with the commitment from so many major supermarkets to ‘Switch the Stick’ from plastic to paper stem buds. Whilst they still shouldn’t be flushed, this move will stop millions of plastic stems ending up in the marine environment each year and is a huge win in the fight against marine plastic pollution.”

Dr Clare Cavers, Research Officer from Fidra's Cotton Bud Project: “Johnson & Johnson and Waitrose pledged to change to paper cotton buds in Spring this year, and we are very pleased to see other retailers following their lead. Plastic pollution in our seas is a major problem, so by making this positive change, we are a step closer to cleaner oceans.”

Cotton buds collected along the River Avon, Bristol. © City to Sea

Plastic cotton bud stems are the number one item of plastic, sewage-related debris on our beaches and rivers [1] – yet UK retailers could help prevent this by switching the stick from plastic to paper – and over 135,000 people have shown their support to the cause by signing up to City to Sea's campaign on the 38 Degrees website.

In the marine environment, plastics can be eaten by marine life, often with fatal consequences. Plastic is found in the stomachs of Loggerhead Turtles, seabirds and many species of UK-caught fish. And pieces that don't get eaten break down into micro-plastics, forming part of a dangerous plastic smog in our seas.

The 38 Degrees petition has received over 150,000 signatures in support of the City to Sea campaign. Trish Murray, campaigner at 38 Degrees, added: “The public’s overwhelming support for this campaign shows that there is a real desire for retailers to provide environmentally sound alternatives.’ It’s great news that six supermarkets in the UK have made a commitment this week following Natalie’s campaign and the support of thousands of 38 Degrees members. The huge petition has sent a clear message to all shops - customers expect them to switch to paper cotton buds to protect our wildlife and our seas.”

© City to Sea

Remaining retailers currently reviewing their policies on cotton buds include Wilko (the Co-op, M&S and Waitrose are the only retailers to currently sell paper-stem buds). However, smaller retailers need to get on board, offer cardboard products and promote them over and above plastic stemmed cotton buds. [1] Beachwatch Report 2015, Marine Conservation Society.