Guest post by BOS Volunteer Christine Campanella

It’s amazing what a little glitter can do for a special occasion such as a birthday celebration or a gender reveal party.  Glitter just makes whatever you’re celebrating more special, and may even add to the happiness.  

Glitter Can Be Hazardous to Marine Life

The fact of the matter is, no matter how fun glitter may be at the moment, it is not fun for our environment.  Glitter is made from the same plastic as single-use water bottles.  Glitter is instant microplastic, and like all plastics, it never goes ‘away’.  Glitter is the perfect size to nibble on for numerous creatures in our ocean. Therefore, glitter is an instant hazard for our marine life and delicate ecosystems that we are trying hard to keep safe.  

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Glitter

There are eco-friendly options out there to use for those special celebrations.  Substitutions include sand glitter, salt glitter, or colored rice.  These are fun craft ideas as well to do with the kids.  Another option is using different colored leaves or flower petals, and using a paper hole punch and punch out eco-confetti.

In a recent study, bio-glitter or eco-glitter made mainly from cellulose, typically from eucalyptus, could also have an impact on the marine ecosystem.  To read more about this study click the link below!

When planning a celebration, whether it be outdoors by the sea or at home, keep these eco-friendly options in mind.  You wouldn’t throw plastic water bottles in the ocean, would you?  That is where glitter will eventually land.  Remember: choose an eco-friendly option for glitter. Oysters, mussels, and other marine life will thank you!

Take Action:

• Join our e-mail list to get more tips and notices of new blog posts! (we only send emails about once/month)
• Glitter: A Sparkling Nightmare for Oceans

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420320604

https://scienceline.org/2020/03/should-we-get-rid-of-glitter/

https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-articles/article/375/to-glitter-or-not-to-glitter-5-great-alternatives