As concerns about plastic pollution grow, many people are asking: Can glitter be eco-friendly?
Traditional cosmetic glitters are made from tiny plastic particles, that have been coated in reflective or metallic materials and are classed as microplastics. Microplastics are pieces of plastic measuring less than 5mm. Once disposed of, these particles do not break down, adding to the problem of plastic pollution.
Microplastics are causing huge damage to the planet by disrupting ecosystems. Plastic can take hundreds or thousands of years to degrade, and over that time microplastics will likely be ingested by many organisms. When microplastics are washed down the drain and into the ocean, they are consumed by fish and birds and cause significant damage to marine life. Microplastics have even been found in the human bloodstream.
In order to tackle the rising issue of plastic pollution, The EU banned the sale of many forms of microplastics in October 2023. This ban includes traditional plastic glitter.
Biodegradable glitter is the eco-friendly solution to traditional plastic glitter. Biodegradable glitter is a sustainable glitter. It is made from plant derived, renewable materials, biodegradable and vegan. Biodegradable glitter breaks down naturally over time and will not accumulate in ecosystems.
As this decomposition happens in the natural environment, the biodegradable glitter has an indefinite shelf life. The decomposition process takes roughly four weeks. If biodegradable glitter is accidently ingested by marine life, it is metabolized naturally, unlike traditional glitter.
So, can glitter be eco-friendly? Yes! Switch to biodegradable glitter, so you can keep on sparkling, sustainably.