Microplastics & microbeads
Solid plastic particles under 5 mm added to scrubs, glitter and paints, or shed from synthetic textiles.
Also listed as: polyethylene, nylon-12, acrylates copolymer, PMMA
What it is
Intentionally-added microplastics are polymer beads, films and glitters used as abrasives, opacifiers and film formers. Secondary microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastics and from synthetic fibres shedding in the wash.
Why it's worth avoiding
Wastewater treatment does not capture most particles, so they enter rivers, soil and marine food chains, where they adsorb other pollutants and are ingested by filter feeders.
What the evidence says
A single synthetic fleece wash can release hundreds of thousands of fibres (Napper & Thompson, 2016). ECHA estimated 42,000 tonnes of intentionally-added microplastics enter the EU environment each year before the restriction.
How it's regulated
The UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and others banned rinse-off microbeads (2015–2018). The EU adopted a wide restriction on intentionally-added microplastics in 2023, phasing out glitter, cosmetic beads and encapsulated fragrances through 2035.
Label clues
- Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-6/12, PMMA or 'acrylates copolymer' in a scrub or make-up
- 'Biodegradable glitter' with no named cellulose base
- 100% polyester or acrylic knitwear with no shedding guidance
Safer swaps
- Salt, sugar, jojoba beads, ground apricot or bamboo exfoliants
- Mineral or cellulose-based glitter certified for compostability
- Natural fibres: organic cotton, hemp, linen, wool, lyocell
- A wash bag or filter for the synthetic garments you already own
Where it shows up
Frequently asked
Do laundry filters actually work?+
External filters and wash bags capture a meaningful share of fibres in independent testing — reductions of roughly 20–80% depending on device and fabric — but the only full solution is buying fewer synthetics.
Is 'biodegradable glitter' real?+
Only if the base is regenerated cellulose or mica with a compostability certification. Plastic glitter marketed as biodegradable without a standard behind it usually is not.