UK to ban Microbeads

Del.Monte

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37263087

I had never even heard of Microbeads until the last few days (on the BBC) and the potential damage to aquatic life not to mention human life is breathtaking. Plastic particles deliberately included in toothpaste - unreal - next it will come out that we've been eating Soylent Green for decades.



Ireland should follow the UK without delay, but will they? I intend to pursue the matter with anybody I can next week and see what the story is. I'll report back here. Anybody else worried by this?

Del.Monte

A quick Google search with the parameters set to Ireland is priceless - An Taisce kicking up about the beads in 2014 http://www.antaisce.org/articles/microbeads-and-damage-they-do comes up seventh on the page and Boots Chemists page http://www.boots.ie/en/Clarins-Gentle-Refiner-Exfoliating-Cream-with-Microbeads-50ml_1036338/ extolling the virtues of a Clarins hair product with microbeads comes up ninth!

GreatDefector

If a few of the FMCG companies stop using microbeads in the UK then by extension it will apply here since most come from the UK especially in shops like M&S, Tesco and boots

One big company like P&G means this would apply to many many brands

VeeEmmy

I am very pleased to read this! The number of products with microbeads in them is huge. They make it through all filtering and on to open water, etc. We ingest them if our toothpaste contains them and if we eat fish. There is no way to get rid of them. Well done, UK! I hope they make good on the "pledge." Ireland needs to follow. I use a face cloth to exfoliate my face! Free.

endacl

Good to hear the UK is following my lead. Banned them here a couple of months ago!

*disengage <smug> mode*

golfcaptain

Should never have been allowed, might as well just dump plastic straight into the ocean from the factory.