The maker of plastic-free glitter alternative, Biolgitter, has warned consumers about the potentially harmful impacts of glitters that are marketed as ‘eco-friendly’.
The firm’s Director Stephen Cotton said consumers are being ‘misled’ by companies that suggest its glitter is eco-friendly because it is compostable, or based on materials that are not considered plastic.
“Just because a glitter is made from something that is perceived not to be a traditional plastic product, doesn’t make it eco-friendly,” explained Cotton.
“Whatever glitter you buy, whether it’s genuine Bioglitter or any other kind, they are all made of polymers.
“These polymers can be materials like synthetic plastic (polyester), bioplastic or modified natural polymers like PLA, cellulose acetate, pulan and regenerated cellulose.
“When it comes to glitter, whatever the polymer, whether it’s called a bioplastic, synthetic plastic, or modified natural polymer, if it doesn’t biodegrade in the natural environment equivalent to fresh water biodegradability standards then it’s a microplastic.”
The Biolgitter Pure Opal range is available in three colours, rose, mint and aqua, and five sizes.
Cotton advised that customers should look for glitter that demonstrates evidence of good freshwater biodegradability performance.
He added: “I think it's very important to move the industry and the consumer to focus on just one thing with glitter, not to fixate on jargon related to what it’s made from or misleading compostable or biodegradability terms, which are all becoming too contrived and confusing.
“The focus needs to be on whether the glitter actually biodegrades in freshwater, and has certification to prove it does. This is the benchmark of knowing whether a glitter is as eco-friendly as it sounds.”