Can I Compost Cotton buds?

You might be able to compost cotton buds – it depends on what they’re made from.

Cotton buds with cardboard/paper stems can be composted as long as they’ve not come into contact with too many nasty chemicals – a little bit of ear wax or make-up is fine but if they’ve been soaked in something like nail varnish remover, you may want to leave them out.

Ear buds with plastic sticks, like the ones in the picture, or using synthetic fibres (such as most foam sponges) instead of pure cotton wool, should not be composted as the sticks/synthetic bits won’t rot down. They should be thrown in the bin (not flushed down the toilet).

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