There is a sense of fun and having a good time when we think about glitter. Scientists believe that we are attracted to shiny things because of our evolutionary adaption to associate sparkling with water.[1] But there is one not-so-little problem: water is good for us, glitter isn’t.
Although using glitter may look like fun, it can also be extremely annoying! Wear a glitter dress once, and you’ll have to deal with flecks in your hair and carpet for months. Yet, the real problem with glitter isn’t that you have to learn to coexist with this hostile tenant for long periods of time, but rather that it gets everywhere, and when we say everywhere, we mean everywhere! Oceans, rivers, mountains, and even places that are supposed to be pristine…
So…what are the threats of these sparkly bits of plastic? Let’s find out!
What exactly is glitter?
Most glitter is made from a combination of aluminum and plastic.[2] It’s used in a wide range of products (including clothing) and due to its small size, glitter is considered a microplastic. As such, it can travel easily through sewage systems through the oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Glitter is characterized by its ability to disperse. It can be easily transferred through the air or by touch, clinging to skin and clothes.
Why is it an environmental concern?
There’s a thing with glitter and that is that, unlike other microplastics (which are a consequence of the disintegration process of larger plastic items), it is sold “in its most environmentally hazardous format from the get-go, just for fun.”[3]
Also, while in the water, glitter absorbs chemicals and pollutants making it even more toxic to animals. This means that marine creatures are mistaking glitter for food and absorbing the toxic chemicals from the glitter.[4] Oh… we almost forgot! When we eat seafood, we are eating glitter as well…
Although it is still unknown how much glitter escapes into the environment, experts are calling on the public to eliminate glitter. Studies have shown how much of an impact these tiny sparkly plastics are having on the environment, being a direct environmental threat to aquatic environments worldwide.[5]
Fortunately, companies are taking action. In 2018 sixty British music festivals pledged to ban glitter from their sites,[6] and in 2020 several British retailers have announced their reduction in glitter usage so that their customers can enjoy their products “without worrying about the environmental impact.”[7]
A sustainable option: The light at the end of the tunnel?
As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of glitter, more and more “green” options have appeared in the market. These claim to be biodegradable and made from plant-based materials. Take as an example EcoStarDust, Wild Glitter, EcoGlitterFun, and BioGlitz.
However, there’s a lot of uncertainty and little objective evidence available regarding greener glitter.[8] Some scientists even say that biodegradable alternatives are no better for the environment than conventional types of glitter.[9]
Should glitter be banned?
Immediate action is needed to reduce plastic pollution as a whole. Expert Trisia Farrelly, an environmental anthropologist at Massey University in New Zealand, called for a global ban on glitter “because it’s microplastic and all microplastics leak into the environment.”[10] Even though Farrelly accepts that glitter is just a small component of microplastics, she explains that the fact that it’s getting more “airtime at the moment” is fantastic.[11]
However, there are others who don’t hold the same opinion. This is the case of Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in western Britain, and Alice Horton, a research associate at Britain’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Thomson and Horton explain that, since there is no concrete data on glitter an outright ban on glitter is premature. Of course, they are aware of the continuing accumulation of microplastics in the seas and its negative effect, yet “they suggest more effective remedies could be regulatory measures or manufacturers acting on their own.”[12]
We get it, volume-wise, glitter itself doesn’t significantly contribute to pollution (less than 1% of polluting microplastics)[13] but that doesn’t mean we should pretend it has no impact on the environment!
If glitter is banned, there would be less plastic pollution, fewer animals would have to die, and we would have a healthier environment. We shouldn’t rule out the idea of potential legislation to ban glitter, especially as consumer awareness on this topic rises.
Let’s get real… is glitter really a problem to focus on?
Probably not… the truth is that we’re making way too much garbage. Glitter may not be what tips us into an environmental collapse but adding this sparkly coat of junk into the environment, no matter how small it is, is not funny… Microplastics are a huge category of pollutants, and we should cut down on them any way we can.
What are your thoughts on this? Did you know about the environmental impact of glitter? Do you think you could reduce your consumption?
very interesting!!