Belgium steps up campaign against plastic glitter and microplastics
Despite a ban introduced in October 2023, plastic glitter continues to appear in toys, craft kits and decorative materials. On Thursday, the Federal Public Service (FPS) for Public Health launched an awareness campaign to draw attention to the impact of microplastics on the environment.
Microplastics are a growing threat to natural ecosystems. Small marine animals such as fish and prawns can mistake plastic particles for food. Those particles then enter the human food chain: scientists have found microplastics in mussels, oysters, beer, fruit and sea salt. Although the full extent of the health risks is still being investigated, their presence in both the environment and the human body has been confirmed.
Under European REACH legislation, the sale of loose, non-biodegradable plastic glitter has been banned since October 2023 for certain applications. The ban also covers glitter that is not an integral part of a product, including craft glitter and glitter in toys or hobby materials.
Yet these products are still being found on the market, according to inspections by the FPS Public Health. "195 of the 203 products checked were found to be non-compliant. As a result, hundreds of pages on well-known sales platforms such as Temu, Amazon, Etsy and Shein were taken offline due to breaches of European legislation," it said on Thursday.
Focus on prevention
In its campaign, the FPS recommends several ways to limit the spread of microplastics in daily life. That includes choosing reusable packaging instead of single-use plastic, which reduces the amount of material that breaks down into ever smaller particles over time.
As tyres release rubber particles during sudden acceleration and braking, public transport is notably better for the environment. Washing clothes at a maximum temperature of 30°C and only when necessary can help to prevent microplastics from synthetic fabrics from ending up in waterways. Finally, smokers are advised to dispose of cigarette butts in bins rather than dropping them on the ground, as they do not break down easily.
PHOTO © POOL UNION EUROPEENNE / AGENCE HANS LUCAS
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