• Background: The Brown Thomas Arnotts group is removing all plastic-based cosmetic glitter products across its beauty halls in-store and on its websites. The products include eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip glosses and glitter pots.
• Description: The removal is part of the group's sustainability programme and commitment to managing its environmental footprint and reducing the plastic pollution that comes with microplastic such as glitter.
• Impact: Over 470 cosmetic products have been removed from sale. According to research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global release of primary microplastics into the ocean was estimated at 1.5mn tons per year, accounting for an estimated 15 – 31% of total ocean plastic pollution. Brown Thomas Arnotts decision will help to mitigate the number of microplastic pollution. 

Photos courtesy of Brown Thomas and Arnotts