Three years ago already, Adrienne Matei, writing for the Guardian, pointed out that glitter is “an environmental abomination.” She explained how it is made from a combination of aluminum and plastic and is a microplastic.
Microplastics have been found in Arctic ice, the seabed around Australia, has literally rained down on protected and otherwise pristine natural areas, and has turned up in our food, to name just a few problem areas.
More than three years ago, major British retailers such as Morrisons, Waitrose, and John Lewis announced that they would ban glitter. The New York Times, among others on this continent, has published articles about the the glitter issue. So, we all know about the problem by now, and yet at least one significant industry magazine, a major ink manufacturer, and an industry influencer, have chosen to ignore the issue and continue to promote the use of glitter in applications on garments. Not only that, but try raising it with them and, like me, you’ll have your magazine subscription terminated and your correspondence ignored.
As disappointing as this may be, those of us who are more responsible shouldn’t be discouraged from doing and saying what’s right for the sake of the reputation of our industry and for the sake of the environment. Glitter may be only a small part of the overall microplastic threat, but it’s the one where we can make a contribution, and we have no excuse for not doing so.