Europe is looking at a ban on many common plastic items in a bid to reduce the amount of litter ending up in its waterways and oceans.
It follows China's decision to stop importing waste for recycling, and is expected to save more than 30-billion-Australian-dollars' worth of environmental damages.
Cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers and throwaway plastic cutlery could be set for an environmentally-friendly makeover.
With plastic litter accounting for more than 80 per cent of marine rubbish, the European Union is considering ways to tackle the growing problem.
New rules aim to target the ten single-use items most commonly found on European seas and beaches, including plastic plates and balloon sticks - though not balloons themselves.
Reliance on plastic takeaway food containers and drink cups would also be reduced, and deposit refund schemes to collect most drink bottles set up in member states.
