Kristen Zanoni  |  October 26, 2020

Category: Consumer Goods

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Evergreen branch, pine cones and glittery gold Christmas ornaments lying on a table covered in glitter - glitter ban

Three major retailers have committed to a glitter ban this holiday season in an effort to clean up the environment.

John Lewis, Morrisons and Waitrose have issued a glitter ban for their own brands of Christmas and holiday items this year. The three stores’ own brands will exclude glitter from all cards, gift bags, wrapper paper and plants, according to The Independent.

Morrisons will be cutting out 50 tonnes of plastic from its store this holiday season, The Independent reported.

EcoWatch reported Morrisons has pledged to remove glitter from single-use plastic toys, Christmas crackers, store-brand cards, gift bags, wrapping paper and floral items. Additionally, the retailer is reducing plastic wrap on items.

“Every time a cracker is pulled, or a card is opened, plastics have been used … but just the once,” Morrisons home director Christine Bryce said in a statement, according to EcoWatch. “So, we’ve taken glitter and plastic out of our festive range this year — so that our customers can enjoy their festivities without worrying about the environmental impact.” “This means that we’re now 100 percent glitter free across all our own brand ranges which is an important step in the fight against plastic pollution,” reported EcoWatch.

“John Lewis and Waitrose, both owned by John Lewis & Partners, will be eliminating glitter from all holiday single-use items this year,” Bryce added.

“All own-brand cards, crackers, wrapping paper, gift bags are now 100% glitter-free,” John Lewis & Partners said in a statement, according to The Independent.

Awareness of how plastics destroy the environment and ecosystems started the glitter ban movement.

Waitrose was the first large retailer to implement a glitter ban. Two years ago, Waitrose committed to a promise to abolish holiday glitter products by 2020, according to EcoWatch.

The BBC reported more retailers in the U.K. will be eliminating or reducing glitter and other plastic products for 2020’s holiday season. 

Boots is no longer wrapping Christmas gifts in single-use plastic, Tesco is committed to only use edible glitter and Sansbury’s is eradicating glitter from festive decorations, gift wrapping and bags, according to the BBC.

Red and glittery gold Christmas ornaments - glitter banMany arts and crafts lovers know the consequences of using glitter are that it gets everywhere and doesn’t dispose of easily.

Whilst glitter is eye-catching and pretty, it is ruining the environment. Major corporations are beginning to understand the effects of decorative glitz. 

Glitter is a staple for holiday decor but it is a type of microplastic, according to EcoWatch. Microplastics are 5 millimeters or less and are a nuisance to animals and the environment.

Microplastics like glitter are beginning to end up in ecosystems as far as the Arctic and in the stomachs of ocean animals. 

The glitter ban by retailers in the U.K. is a big step towards improving the environment and eradicating microplastics from the oceans. 

Unfortunately, the glitter ban has not gained traction in other parts of the world, including the United States.

According to EcoWatch, chains such as CVS, Target, Walgreens and Walmart did not respond to requests for comment about whether they will take park in a glitter ban this holiday season.  

Consumers can make small changes to help reduce plastic pollution during the holiday season or even year-round.

Popsugar News suggests purchasing sustainable brands or products that are packaged with less waste. 

Whilst people can make small changes, real change will begin with large companies, says Popsugar, which is why these three major U.K. retailers participating in a glitter ban is beneficial. 

According to Popsugar, glitter takes hundreds of years to biodegrade. Consumers can do their best to buy goods from eco-friendly corporations.

Eco-conscious consumers can also aid the glitter ban by not purchasing one-time-use products that contain glitter. 

Do you support more shops engaging in the glitter ban? Tells us how you feel in the comments.

Check back daily for the most recent U.K. class action lawsuit and consumer protection news.

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