What’s with the used dental floss picks appearing all over Britain’s streets?

Some companies, such as US brand Twice Oral Wellness and DenTek, are exploring more eco-friendly options – utilising ingredients like cornstarch, bio-based alternatives – the vast majority of picks are made using single-use plastics.

‘These are products designed to support oral health, yet they’re made from plastic that breaks down into microplastics and adds to long-term chemical exposure in the environment and our bodies,’ says Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet.

‘Disposable floss picks show how deeply throwaway plastic has been normalised in everyday life.

‘We take something used for a few seconds, make it from a material that lasts for decades, and then act surprised when it shows up in our streets and waterways.’