What are microbeads?
• Microbeads are tiny bits of plastic found in some personal and beauty care products, such as toothpaste, scrubs, sunscreens and make-up.
• The microbeads used are mainly made of polyethylene (PE), but can be also be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and nylon. If any of these are listed under ingredients then the product contains microbeads.
• Microbeads wash off your body and down the drain, then end up in oceans.
• Microbeads, and other microplastics absorb harmful chemicals like a sponge. They become over a million times more toxic than the water around them.
• Fish and other marine life mistake them for food and eat them.
You can pledge to go #beadfree by only choosing products that are free from microbeads.
For more information about microbeads and plastic pollution, check out the following websites: