Environment Audit Committee recommends a legislative ban on microbeads

The Environment Audit Committee have published a report on the Environmental Impact of microplastics. The focus of the work was on microbeads found in cosmetic and personal care products due to high public concern over their impact. However, the recommendations say that ‘The wider issue of microplastic pollution cannot be set aside once microbeads have been dealt with’ particularly suggesting looking at synthetic fibres and tyres.

The  report states that it is estimated that 15-51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean and 80,000 – 219,000 tonnes of microplastics enter the sea from Europe per year. Microbeads are estimated to make up 0.01% to 4.1% of the total microplastics entering the marine environment.

Although, there is already a voluntary commitment in place to phase out microbeads by 2020 the committee recommended a legislative ban to ensure a consistent approach. They also emphasised the importance of cooperating internationally on this issue. They recommended the ban follow the criteria suggested by Flora & Fauna of : phasing out all solid microplastic ingredients across all products that go down the drain, apply to all company’s brands, all of the markets it is active in, all future products, no exemption for biodegradable plastic and no lower size limit.

The report states that preventing this material reaching the sea is key and removing them would not be economical or practical. They found there are opportunities to capture microplastics with effective waste and water sewage treatment but it would require heavy investment.  

The impact on the marine environment of microplastics, the report found, are still being researched but they are potentially more environmentally damaging than larger pieces of plastic as they can be eaten by wildlife and have a greater surface area for attracting chemicals. They found the impact on human health is still relatively unknown and more research is currently underway however, the dietary exposure is likely to be low. 

If a ban is not possible the committee would like to see clear labelling of products containing microbeads giving consumers the choice not to buy them.

The BPF gave written and oral evidence to the Environment Audit  Committee as part of the inquiry. They also responded to the report saying:

Once it was highlighted that water treatment plants were unable to filter out microbeads the British Plastics Federation (BPF) alongside other leading associations started to encourage companies to move away from the use of microbeads in cosmetic products.  The BPF is pleased to see progress has been made with many cosmetic companies committing to phase out microbeads completely.  

The focus should now be placed on addressing litter behaviour and improving the current infrastructure to make sure all plastic is efficiently collected for recovery.'

Following the release of this report the Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, has announced plans to ban the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads. She said that "Most people would be dismayed to know the face scrub or toothpaste they use was causing irreversible damage to the environment, with billions of indigestible plastic peices poisoning sea creatures".

To read the report from the Environment Audit Committee please click here.