Why it's Time to Stop Buying Glitter

We know, glitter is the ultimate tool if you’re trying to make something beautiful. School projects, holidays, gifts, makeup, and art have all benefitted from a sprinkle of glitter for decades. But this seemingly harmless product is doing damage to fragile ecosystems long after it’s shine has faded.

Glitter is made from plastic and has become the number one cause of microplastics, tiny shards that end up in the organs of wildlife all around the world. Microplastics are smaller than 5mm in length and can come from degrading plastic products and small plastics like microbeads from skin care products. The plastic invasion in our oceans is much more than skin deep and unless we find a way to stop dumping plastic waste into the ocean and begin removing it, there will not be any life on Earth that is not affected by plastic waste by 2050.

A global ban on glitter in 2018 put pressure on retailers to cut the harmful, frivolous material from their shelves. Items decorated in plastic glitter, crafting supplies containing the product, and makeup products containing microplastics are being dropped by major retailers like Aldi, who cut all glitter Halloween products in 2018.

If you’re a glitter fiend and love everything that sparkles, don’t worry! Dozens of companies have sprung up in recent months to provide biodegradable glitter options to fill the void. Places like BioGlitter, EcoStardust, Lush, and Glitter Revolution are selling the beloved crafting supply, without the environmental burden.

Large supermarket chains are slow to commit but multiple countries, including the entire UK, have promised to be plastic-glitter free by 2023. Do you think we’ll be able to meet this goal?