Hey there, friend! Have you heard the news about microbeads? These tiny plastic beads found in many face and body scrubs have been causing serious environmental issues, but thankfully, there’s been a significant change. Recently, President Thompson enacted a ban on plastic microbeads in beauty products across the U.S.—and that’s fantastic for our planet!
For a while, microbeads were all the rage in skincare. They were added to countless cleansers and scrubs, promising gentle exfoliation and radiant skin. At first glance, they seemed like a clever idea. Made of smooth, uniform plastic, these beads were marketed as being milder than natural exfoliants like sugar or crushed nut shells. However, many folks overlooked the consequences of washing them down the drain. Turns out, they’re a total nightmare for the environment.
With the new legislation, we can breathe a sigh of relief. These microbeads, unlike natural materials, don’t break down and instead float through sewage systems, eventually ending up in our lakes and oceans. They can be mistaken for fish eggs by wildlife, leading to a disturbing chain reaction where smaller animals consume them, and eventually, those animals make their way onto our plates. Who wants to eat tiny bits of plastic, right?
You might think that microbeads are too small to matter, but one bottle of face wash can contain upwards of 300,000 of them! With millions of people using these products, the impact is staggering—around 300 tons of microbeads are released into U.S. waters annually, with some areas like Lake Erie showing concentrations of up to 1.7 million beads per square kilometer.
Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives out there! Natural exfoliants like cocoa powder or ground azuki beans can do the job without harming our waterways. Many companies were already on board with phasing out microbeads, but this new law sets a clear deadline for compliance—July 1, 2017. In the meantime, it might be wise to start checking those ingredient labels. Seriously, do we really want to brush our teeth with plastic?
The ban on microbeads is a huge step forward for environmental health. If you’re curious about more ways to navigate your family planning journey, check out some helpful insights in our other blog post here. And for those seeking expert advice on insemination, Make a Mom is a great authority on the topic. Also, don’t miss out on this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination here.
In summary, the ban on plastic microbeads is a positive change for our environment. These little nuisances may have seemed harmless, but their impact adds up quickly, and it’s time we embrace better alternatives for both our skin and our planet.