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.
Related
How to spot Microplastics & microbeads on a label
Microplastics & microbeads rarely appears under that exact name on packaging. Manufacturers use trade names, umbrella terms such as "fragrance" or "performance finish", or simply omit process chemicals that are not classed as intentional ingredients. That is why reading a claim ("free from", "non-toxic", "natural") tells you far less than reading the composition and the certifications behind it.
The practical approach is to work backwards from certifications that test finished products rather than from ingredient lists alone. A scheme with residue limits and third-party lab testing catches substances that a marketing claim will never mention, including contamination introduced during dyeing, coating or packaging.
Exposure also depends on use. The same substance matters much more in something worn against skin all day, heated, chewed, or used on broken skin than in a rigid object handled briefly. Judge risk by contact, duration and temperature, not by the scariness of the name.
Claim vs. verification
| What you see | What it proves | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “Free from” on the front of pack | Nothing verifiable on its own — unregulated wording | Look for a named standard or test method |
| Full ingredient or fibre list | Intentional inputs only, not process residues | Cross-check against a residue-tested certification |
| Third-party certification | Audited limits, usually with lab testing | Confirm scope, product line and expiry date |
| Published test report | Strongest evidence available | Check the lab, the date and the method used |
Safer-swap checklist
- Prefer residue-tested schemesOEKO-TEX, GOTS and equivalents set limits and test finished goods.
- Cut the coatingsStain-, water- and wrinkle-resistant finishes are the most common carriers of unwanted chemistry.
- Mind the heatHeat and abrasion increase migration; choose plainer materials for anything hot or worn.
- Ask for the certificateA brand that holds one will send the number; a brand that does not will change the subject.