If you thought cotton buds were supposed to be used to clean your ears, think again. Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

A ban on plastic cotton buds could help cut marine plastic pollution in half, Friends of the Earth Scotland said. The Scottish Government will now carry out a public consultation on the move.

If you use cotton buds for make-up precision, you might know that make-up artists swear by the Muji Thin Cotton Buds (£3.50 for 200). Thankfully, these are made of a supple paper shaft that ...