News
Check your scrub – personal products containing microbeads NOW banned from sale
Now ban must be extended to cleaning and other products, says Marine Conservation Society
Following a ban in January on the manufacture of personal products containing microbeads, including shower gels, face scrubs and toothpastes, all such items are now banned from sale in England and Scotland. The ban came into force yesterday, Tuesday 19th June 2018.
The Government says it’s the final step in its world-leading efforts to prevent these harmful pieces of plastic entering the marine environment.
Retailers will no longer be able to sell rinse-off cosmetics and personal care products that contain microbeads.
But the UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), says although the ban on the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing microbeads is fantastic news, it’s only half the story. It says the ban must be now extended to all products that contain these tiny yet incredibly harmful pieces of plastic – and quickly.
“We are delighted that this robust microbead ban has come into force,” says Dr Sue Kinsey, Senior Pollution Policy Officer at the Marine Conservation Society. “This is the strongest and most comprehensive ban to be enacted in the world and will help to stem the flow of microplastics into our oceans.”
“We believe that this signals a real commitment on the part of this Government to clean up our seas and beaches and we look forward to seeing further actions to combat plastic waste. The next step has to be to extend the scope of the ban to more products such as suncreams, make-ups and general cleaning products that are used every single day. 100,000 people have taken part in the recent consultation on a plastic tax. The public clearly understand how important it is we turn the tide on plastic now. It’s time the UK government acknowledged the same and took further ground-breaking steps forward,” says Dr Sue Kinsey.
Two years ago, the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee said increasing amounts of damage were being done to marine life as a result of plastic accumulating in our oceans leading to potential harm to human health.
Last year Scientists at Ghent University in Belgium calculated that shellfish lovers are eating up to 11,000 plastic fragments in their seafood each year and earlier this year, record levels of microplastics were found in Arctic sea ice. Up to 12,000 of the tiny plastic particles were discovered per litre of sea ice in samples taken from the Arctic Ocean in 2014 and 2015.
Dr Kinsey said that research revealed the problems of microplastics in our oceans are even more far reaching than previously realised:
“A particular concern, is the fact that much of that microplastic load will be released as ice melts. This highlights the absolute importance of stopping the flow of plastics to our oceans as soon as possible. We can and must act now to prevent further environmental harm to our oceans, wildlife, coastlines and potentially to human health.”
The Environmental Protection (Microbeads) (Wales) Regulations 2018 was being presented to the National Assembly for Wales in Plenary yesterday, where AMs were to debate and were expected to approve the legislation which is then likely to come into effect at the end of the month in Wales.
For further information on the Marine Conservation Society or to support their campaigns, please visit www.mcsuk.org.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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