The government has announced plans to ban the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products by the end of next year in response to concerns they harm sealife.
It follows calls last month by the Commons Environmental Audit Committee for the government to impose a ban on the plastics, with about 86 tonnes of microplastics being released into the environment every year in the UK from facial exfoliants alone, and up to 100,000 microbeads per shower washed into the sea.
The ban is subject to a consultation later this year, which will also gather evidence on the extent of the environmental impacts of microbeads found elsewhere - such as in household and industrial cleaning products - before considering what more can be done in future to tackle other plastics, such as microfibres, which also enter the marine environment.
“Most people would be dismayed to know the face scrub or toothpaste they use was causing irreversible damage to the environment, with billions of indigestible plastic pieces poisoning sea creatures,” said environment secretary Andrea Leadsom.
“Adding plastic to products like face washes and body scrubs is wholly unnecessary when harmless alternatives can be used,” she added. “This is the next step in tackling microplastics in our seas following the success of the 5p plastic bag charge, and I look forward to working with industry and environmental groups.”
Waitrose announced it would stop selling all branded cosmetic products containing microbeads in June, while 25 UK cosmetics and toiletries companies have already taken steps to voluntarily phase out microbeads from their products.
A government ban would create a level playing field for industry, tackle inconsistency and stop new products containing tiny pieces of plastic from being sold in the UK, Defra said.
The announcement was welcomed by the Marine Conservation Society, which called it “a big step forward in tackling microplastic pollution and demonstrates strong leadership from government”.
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