Microbeads exist in many popular beauty products. However, they will be a thing of the past in the United Kingdom, as the government officially announced their plans to completely ban them by the end of 2017 as reported by Inhabitat. The tiny, abrasive bits meant to scrub away blemishes have been found to be harmful to aquatic life and their ecosystems after being washed down the drain.
The United Kingdom follows the United States’ decision to ban the beads after a petition was signed by over 350,000 people. Although the petition has been laid out, some groups say the ban doesn’t extend far enough.
The United Kingdom follows the United States’ decision to ban the beads after a petition was signed by over 350,000 people. Although the petition has been laid out, some groups say the ban doesn’t extend far enough.
Industries have claimed to be phasing out plastic microbeads on their own, but many critics say they have been taking too long due to loopholes in their pledges to the public. Dr. Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfume Association, said that the ban was inevitable. He also said that the survey they carried out on members shows a 70% reduction in use of products with microbeads since 2015. This is expected to reach almost zero by the end of 2018.
Greenpeace believes the ban should extend to other products. The group’s ocean campaigner Louise Edge praised the decision, but also said that marine life doesn’t distinguish between plastic microbeads from a washing detergent and plastic beads from a cleansing product, so it makes no sense for this ban to be limited to certain products and not others.
The government will publish their consultation regarding what products will fall under the ban and which will not be included.
Click here to read the full story on Inhabitat
Solar Trust Centre Team
