Body Scrub: Environmental Impact And Pollution

Body scrubs are a popular way to exfoliate and nourish the skin. However, many people are unaware that some body scrubs contain plastic microbeads, which can pollute waterways and harm wildlife. These microbeads are minuscule plastic balls usually made from polyethene, and they are often found in cosmetic products such as face and body scrubs, toothpaste, and household cleaning products. Once they enter water systems, microbeads are nearly impossible to remove and can cause serious harm to the environment and human health. To prevent this, it is important to choose body scrubs with natural and eco-friendly alternatives, such as cellulose microbeads, or to make your own DIY body scrubs at home using ingredients like sugar, salt, and coffee grounds. Several countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UK, have also banned the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics, recognizing the negative impact of this type of plastic pollution.

Plastic microbeads in body scrubs are polluting waterways and harming wildlife

Due to their microscopic size, plastic microbeads can be ingested by marine animals, including fish, birds, whales, turtles, and other wildlife. This ingestion leads to blockages in their digestive systems and alters their feeding behavior, negatively impacting growth and reproduction. The toxins from ingested plastic then travel up the food chain, eventually reaching humans.

To address this issue, several countries have taken steps to ban plastic microbeads in cosmetic products. The USA, Canada, and the UK have all implemented bans or expressed support for legal prohibition. Additionally, companies like Naturisimo have committed to refraining from using microplastics in their cosmetics, opting for natural and safer alternatives.

Fortunately, consumers now have more eco-friendly options than ever before. For instance, cellulose alternatives, such as Pidanti Smoothing Polish, effectively exfoliate the skin without posing a threat to wildlife or the environment. By choosing these eco-friendly alternatives, individuals can continue to enjoy the benefits of exfoliating scrubs while also protecting the environment and wildlife from the harmful effects of plastic microbeads.

Banning the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics

Plastic microbeads, found in many health and beauty products, including soap and body scrubs, have been shown to pollute waterways and harm wildlife. They are difficult, if not impossible, to see, yet they still pollute waterways, wildlife, and even our bodies. Due to their microscopic size, removing them from waterways is challenging, if not impossible, once they are in the water.

In 2012, the Beat the Microbead campaign began advocating against the use of microbeads in everyday products. In 2015, research conducted by UNEP and TAUW identified a list of 67 microplastic ingredients to be aware of. Today, with the restriction proposal by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), over 500 microplastic ingredients widely used in cosmetics and personal care products have been identified. Some of these ingredients indicate toxicity to human health, some to aquatic life, and for others, there is not enough information available.

On December 18, 2015, Congress amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDC Act) by passing the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which was signed into law by President Obama on December 28, 2015. This law prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads. The law defines "plastic microbead" as "any solid plastic particle that is less than five millimeters in size and is intended to be used to exfoliate or cleanse the human body or any part thereof." The law provides deadlines for companies to stop manufacturing products with plastic microbeads and allows time for distributors and retailers to sell their inventory of products containing plastic microbeads before the ban takes effect.

Several states had already banned products containing microbeads before the federal law was passed. Additionally, major personal care companies like Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, and L'Oréal began voluntarily phasing out the use of microbeads before the federal ban was implemented. The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 is a significant step towards reducing plastic pollution and protecting wildlife and human health. However, it is essential to remain vigilant and support organizations like Beat the Microbead to ensure the cosmetics industry continues to move towards safer and more sustainable practices.

Natural and biodegradable alternatives to plastic microbeads

Plastic microbeads in body scrubs are a significant source of pollution. They are washed down the drain and end up in lakes or oceans, where they are consumed by fish and other wildlife, ultimately entering the food chain. Several countries, including the US, UK, New Zealand, and many European nations, have banned the production and sale of products containing plastic microbeads.

Fortunately, there are numerous natural and biodegradable alternatives to plastic microbeads that are safe for both your skin and the environment. Here are some eco-friendly options for achieving smooth, exfoliated skin without contributing to plastic pollution:

• Salt and Sugar Scrubs: Sea salt and sugar are natural exfoliants that effectively slough away dead skin cells. They can be mixed with oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil, to create a gentle body or lip scrub. Sugar, in particular, is a source of natural alpha hydroxyl, which boosts the production of new skin cells.
• Coffee Scrubs: Coffee grounds have natural exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. They can improve circulation and smooth the skin. When mixed with warm coconut oil, coffee grounds create an effective body scrub.
• Natural Powders: Bamboo powder, almond powder, walnut shell powder, apricot seeds, and pumice powder are excellent alternatives to plastic microbeads. These natural powders provide gentle exfoliation without causing micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to bacterial infections.
• Jojoba Beads: Jojoba beads are a fantastic option for individuals with nut allergies. They are odorless, colorless, and have a similar appearance to plastic microbeads. However, they are natural and biodegradable. Jojoba beads gently exfoliate the skin without causing irritation.
• Natural Clays and Charcoal: Charcoal is highly absorbent and effective in drawing out dirt, grime, and dead skin cells. Natural clays, such as kaolin or bentonite clay, can also be used as exfoliants and have the added benefit of drawing out impurities from the skin.
• Natural Exfoliating Agents: In addition to the options above, you can explore skincare products containing natural exfoliating agents like cellulose beads, vitamin C, green tea extract, or hyaluronic acid. These alternatives provide the exfoliating benefits of microbeads without the environmental harm.

By choosing these natural and biodegradable alternatives, you can enjoy the benefits of exfoliation while also protecting the environment and your health.

Microbeads are minuscule balls of plastic, usually found in face and body scrubs

Microbeads are problematic because they pollute waterways and harm wildlife. Once they enter water systems, they are near-impossible to remove. They are difficult to see due to their microscopic size, yet they still contaminate waterways, wildlife, and even our bodies. They can wreak havoc on the environment and wildlife, with 663 species of marine wildlife affected by plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement. The minuscule beads can end up in the stomachs of animals such as fish, birds, and turtles, who mistake them for food. This causes blockages in their guts and negatively impacts their growth and reproduction, which has a huge impact on the food chain.

Due to the environmental and health concerns posed by microbeads, there has been a push to ban their use in cosmetics. In 2015, the USA passed a ban on microbeads, followed by Canada and the UK. There are now many eco-friendly alternatives to products containing microbeads, such as face and body scrubs that use cellulose microbeads or natural ingredients like sugar, oatmeal, and ground coffee.

Microbeads are ingested by marine wildlife, causing blockages and altering feeding behaviour

Plastic microbeads, commonly found in face and body scrubs, toothpaste, and household cleaning products, have been shown to pollute waterways and harm wildlife. Due to their microscopic size, these microbeads are difficult or impossible to remove from waterways once they enter them. They are ingested by marine wildlife, causing blockages and altering feeding behaviour.

Microbeads are minuscule balls of plastic, usually made from polyethylene. When products containing microbeads are used, the microbeads are flushed down into the sewer system and enter water systems. Once in the water, they are impossible to remove and pose a threat to marine wildlife.

Greenpeace reports that 663 species of marine wildlife are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion or entanglement. The minuscule beads are mistaken for food by fish, birds, whales, turtles, and other marine life, ending up in their stomachs. This can cause blockages in their guts and alter their feeding behaviour, negatively impacting their growth and reproduction.

The issue of plastic pollution caused by microbeads has gained widespread recognition, with several countries taking steps to address it. In 2015, the USA passed a ban on the use of plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetic products and toothpastes, followed by a similar ban in Canada. In 2016, the UK government also declared its support for a proposed legal ban on polluting plastic.

To address this issue, consumers can opt for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic microbeads. There are now many biodegradable and non-polluting options available, such as cellulose beads, refined walnut powder, almond meal, jojoba beads, and sugar cane crystals. By choosing these alternatives, individuals can continue to enjoy the benefits of exfoliating face and body scrubs without contributing to the harm caused by plastic microbeads in the environment and marine wildlife.

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