“We all know that glitter can get everywhere and is highly likely to end up in the environment, either down the drain or by shedding from decorative items,” research associate at the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Alice Horton told the Guardian. “So I think there’s no harm in banning it from nurseries for craft purposes given that its only purpose is ornamental.”
“I think all glitter should be banned, because it’s microplastic,” environmental anthropologist Dr Trisia Farrelly told the Independent. And here I thought glitter was grown and harvested on tiny faerie farms tucked away in small woodland villages unseeable to human eyes! But it’s actually made out of plastic.
We’re not just talking about craft glitter either, but the glitter you find in makeup and beauty products as well. Lush, for example, specifically uses “mica and mineral glitter” to avoid using plastic products. And while experts say that nurseries banning the glitter may not make a huge difference when it comes to plastic piling up in our Earth’s oceans it certainly is a small step in the right direction.
So, for those living in South England, your children’s Christmas cards will probably be uglier this year. God, how that must suck for you (and your fridge.) But at least the environment is a teeny, tiny bit cleaner because of it!
