World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8. On this day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honor the ocean, which connects us all. Clean, healthy oceans are critical to our survival. Our oceans are important because they:But sadly, we are causing so much hurt and harm to our beloved oceans, without realizing how a tiny piece of plastic can cause such a huge impact. Yes, many people are thinking more sustainably by saying “NO” to plastic bags and straws, but what about saying “NO” for microbeads?
What are microbeads?
Microbeads are harmful plastic particles used in many personal care products like face scrubs, shower gels, toothpaste and more. At less than 1mm in diameter, they end up flowing down the drains, into the rivers and ultimately ending up in the ocean.
And because microbeads are so small, they easily enter and get stuck in marine life’s digestive systems, blocking their digestive tracts and leading to starvation. They’re also at risk of poisoning, as the these microbeads also act as sponges, soaking up toxic chemicals from the water around it.
For the marine animals who are lucky enough to survive, they are then captured and sold as food sources to – surprise, surprise – humans.
Microbeads = environmental disaster!
It is estimated that between 15 and 51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean!An estimated 808 trillion plastic microbeads are washed down US household drains every day! A single shower can result in 100,000 plastic particles being washed down the drain! More than 280 marine species are known to ingest microplastics, and that number is only going to grow!If someone eats six oysters, it is likely they will have eaten 50 particles of microplastics! Once in the marine environment, microplastics can both release and absorb toxins, which can then move throughout the foodchain.
In fact, the microbead issue is so serious that many countries like America, Canada, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK have banned microbeads from rinse-off cosmetics! We’re so happy that even more countries are also becoming more aware of the horrors of microbeads.
Neal’s Yard Remedies’ fight to #BanTheBeadEver since our conception, Neal’s Yard Remedies has NEVER used any microbeads in any of our scrubs. We only use natural exfoliating ingredients such as seeds and grains, which are biodegradable and kind to the environment.
Alongside NGO Fauna & Flora International, we lobbied the UK government to #BanTheBead, and we are now continuing the campaign around the world with our international partners.
Be kind to our oceans and say “NO” to microbeads!
Click HERE to shop all our lovely natural scrubs for face and body. No microbeads needed to have silky-smooth skin!
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