With proposed legislation seeking to ban plastic straws and cotton buds, plastic tampons applicators have been crucially missed.

Tampons and sanitary pads produce over 100 billion pieces of plastic waste every year. On UK beaches there are nine plastic tampon applicators found per kilometre.

As well as the devastating effects this has on the environment and for animals, the plastic ends up in the stomachs of the fish we eat. 

Plastic tampon applicators are simply not necessary. There are many alternatives including cardboard applicators, reusable applicators and mooncups to name a few.

Legislation needs to be proposed to ban plastic tampon applicators.