Glitters are the small shimmery particles extensively used in arts and crafts, decoration, fashion outfits, accessories and makeup products. These shiny, tiny pieces of glitter might look innocent and harmless, but their impact on the environment is dangerous. These glitters are made from microplastics with a size below 5mm which cannot be degraded. In many instances, these glitters end up in large water bodies like the ocean and have a detrimental effect on aquatic creatures. For this reason, the European Union has imposed a ban since October 2023. 

Plastic glitter has many other considerable implications that have made The Wise Old Owl support a ban on these tiny plastic particles. Let’s find them out. 

Why TWOO is Against Plastic Glitters?

Plastic glitters are nothing but microplastics coated with toxic metals like aluminium, titanium and iron oxide. These shiny and shimmery decoratives, not only double the havoc on the environment but are health hazardous for humans. Here are some of the disadvantages of plastic glitter.

Impacts the Ecosystem

Microplastic glitters coated with metals do not decompose. They persist in the soil for a very long duration, causing heavy harm to our environment. If these glitters get into water bodies, they result in marine pollution, leading to damage to underwater life. It's not just the plastic but the threatening combo of microplastic and toxic metals that makes these glossy plastic glitters dangerous to our biosphere.

Hazardous for Life

These sheeny plastic glitters are not just unfavourable to the environment but also cause potential harm to human beings and animals. Glitters being widely used in clothing, accessories and even cosmetics, if ingested, affect our system leading to health issues including respiratory, digestion and hormonal imbalances for both humans and animals. Blending with water, this tiny venom releases heavy chemicals in the water bodies, and innocent aquatic animals like fish or seabirds consume it, resulting in the same problem as other beings.

Impacts on The Food Chain

The dangerous chemicals released when glitter enters the environment seep into the crops we eat and, through water bodies, into the marine food we eat. This indirectly pollutes our food and impacts the food chain, too.

With these dangersome impacts on our flora and fauna, supporting the ban on this minuscule shiny beast will be a favourable decision for our biosphere.

Solution 

After learning about the disadvantages, one might wonder if we need to stop using this minute, luminous, decorative essential that adds glam to things. Absolutely not! Every problem has a solution, and even this one has one. Replacing the plastic glitter with biodegradable glitter is the ideal answer. These eco-friendly glitter are made up of natural ingredients such as plant-based materials or minerals like mica that are non-toxic in nature. Using these bio-glitters not only helps preserve the environment but is also harmless for living beings, including marine life.

By supporting a ban on plastic glitter, you are not favouring the environment; rather, you are protecting yourself and your family from its indirect effects. But glitter is an inevitable part of our lives, and it’s hard to avoid it entirely. Hence, The Wise Old Owl has come up with the idea of eco-friendly glitter. It can be included in your daily life makeup and other activities without any worries. Use eco-friendly glitters and have sparkly fun without causing trouble to yourself or the environment.