Page 3 - Everyday Kitsap 2016

WASTE WISE

Facing the Plastic

Why the Federal Government is banning microbeads
I

f you have ever used an exfoliating
body wash or facial scrub from a
major manufacturer, chances are
you’ve used a product containing
microbeads. While these tiny particles
may be good for removing dead skin,
they are bad news for the environment.
Beginning in 2017, microbeads found
in many personal care products will be
banned across the U.S.
What are microbeads, and why are
they bad?
Microbeads are tiny beads of plastic
that can be found in hundreds of
products we use daily, from hand soap
to shampoo, and even in toothpaste.
These products are rinsed off after use,
sending bits of plastic down the drain.
Most pollutants that go down
our drains are removed at sewage
treatment plants, but not microbeads.
They slip through filters that were
not designed for small particles. And
not only are they plastic, they absorb
chemicals that have been linked to
cancer and other diseases. Once
released into waterways, microbeads advocated for the ban, estimating that There are products available that
are eaten by fish that mistake them 808 trillion microbeads are washed exfoliate without the use of microbeads.
for food. Researchers are concerned down drains in the U.S. each day. An If you use a beauty product that
that this is not only harmful to fish — estimated 8 trillion, or one percent, of contains microbeads, consider replacing
pollutants can be transferred to humans these microbeads are released directly it with a natural alternative. Look for
that eat the fish for dinner. into waterways. That’s enough plastic to products that contain pumice, walnut
What does the ban cover? cover 300 tennis courts! husks, or other natural material. Many
The Microbead-Free Waters Act What can I do now? manufacturers have started to remove
of 2015 (H.R. 1321) will ban the Products containing microbeads are microbeads from their products
manufacture of microbeads beginning still on the shelves, and maybe in your voluntarily before the ban begins.
in July 2017. Manufacturing and sales home. You can avoid pollution with Don’t wait for the ban – stop washing
bans go into effect in 2018 and 2019. microbeads by checking the products your face with plastic today.
“These microbeads are tiny plastic, but you use. If you see polyethylene (PE) or We need to be aware that what
make for big-time pollution,” said Rep. polypropylene (PP) in the ingredients
Fred Upton, who co-sponsored the bill list, the product contains microbeads goes down the drain at home
with Rep. Frank Pallone. and should be disposed of – NOT may harm our ecosystem
The pollution really is a big deal. down the drain! Dispose of them in miles away.
A recent article in the journal of the garbage, or send them back to the
Environmental Science and Technology manufacturer. - COMMISSIONER ED WOLFE

KitsapGov.com | Spring 2016 | pg 3