The humble single-use dental flosser, often overlooked, is now at the forefront of Scotland’s burgeoning plastic pollution crisis, drawing stark comparisons to the previously ubiquitous and now banned plastic cotton bud. A compelling open letter from a coalition of campaigners, NGOs, and businesses urgently calls upon the Scottish Government to enact a ban on these pervasive single-use plastics, highlighting their significant environmental impact.
These small gadgets, designed for quick dental hygiene, have become an alarmingly common sight littering Scotland’s pristine coastlines and urban landscapes. They join a regrettable inventory of personal hygiene and other items, including wipes, plastic cutlery, and even COVID masks, that continue to infiltrate waterways, landfill sites, and sewage systems. While previous legislative action successfully removed items like plastic cotton buds and straws from circulation, the relentless deluge of global plastic pollution shows no signs of abatement, making the need for decisive waste reduction increasingly critical.
This impassioned appeal for action comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the crucial final rounds of talks for the UN global plastics treaty. These international discussions aim to forge comprehensive strategies for tackling both existing plastic waste and mitigating plastic production at its source. The escalating volume of this new form of waste underscores a grim reality: global plastic production levels are projected to nearly triple by 2060, intensifying the ecological burden.
Despite their diminutive and seemingly innocuous appearance, dental flossers are widely distributed in multi-packs across supermarkets and pharmacies, contributing to their pervasive presence. Photographic evidence compiled by campaigners reveals these discarded items across diverse Scottish locales, from the untouched beaches of Colonsay to the bustling city streets of Glasgow and the rugged east coast near St Abbs, unequivocally demonstrating the widespread nature of the problem.
Implementing such a ban would not only signify a progressive step in environmental policy for Scotland but also align seamlessly with the Scottish Government’s forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy. This strategic framework, designed to curb plastic production and waste, complements the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which Scotland endorsed in 2018, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to sustainable practices and a greener future.
Clean-up initiatives across the country have corroborated the alarming increase in discarded dental flossers. Marion Montgomery of Paws on Plastic emphasizes that these items are frequently discovered during walks, posing not only an example of unnecessary single-use plastics but also a tangible risk to wildlife and a long-term environmental hazard. Similarly, Scottish Coastal Clean Up volunteers report finding flossers in tandem with wet wipes, highlighting a shared pathway of environmental degradation, despite the availability of alternative, more sustainability-focused products.
The collective letter urges policymakers to confront Scotland’s prevailing throwaway culture by prohibiting the sale of an item used for mere seconds yet destined to persist in landfills for centuries. Drawing inspiration from past successes, Scotland has already demonstrated its resolve by banning plastic straws, drink stirrers, polystyrene food containers, and single-use vapes, alongside the implementation of a plastic bag fee. These bold regulatory measures have consistently yielded remarkable positive impacts on the environment.
However, the challenge extends beyond just one item, as new single-use plastics continually enter the market. As Ms. Young noted, while progress has been made on some fronts, countless other disposable products continue to pollute the environment and deplete valuable resources. Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, stresses that while a ban is a vital “start,” broader legislation is essential to encourage producers to innovate for sustainability rather than inventing transient “gimmicks” that exacerbate the waste reduction challenge.
This open letter is not an isolated plea; it is part of a growing chorus as the UN Global Plastic Treaty talks commence. Another recent letter, co-signed by 18 influential groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, underscores the devastating impact of plastic and implores the Scottish Government to implement immediate and robust measures. Kim Pratt, a circular economy campaigner, articulates a shared vision for a future free from plastic pollution, advocating for practical steps such as banning plastic waste incineration, enforcing producer responsibility, and investing in reuse services, all crucial elements of a comprehensive environmental policy for Scotland.
