Illinois considers glitter ban over microplastics concerns

Why it matters: Microplastics, including glitter, are among the most pervasive pollutants worldwide, showing up in 90% of samples in the Great Lakes.

• Once they enter waterways, they can't be filtered out.

What they're saying: "Microplastics in personal care products are manufactured at a size that easily enters our waterways and our environment," state Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet (D-Chicago), the author of the bill, said in a statement. DuBuclet was formerly vice president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

• "Glitter and plastics in general are a major human health problem," Jordan Parker, an environmental advocate with the Triveni Institute, tells Axios. "Most people don't realize that glitter is just tiny pieces of plastic. When that glitter goes down the drain, it finds its way back into our bodies, and that's the problem."

The fine print: The bill would prohibit the sale of glitter-based personal care products like makeup and hair products, but would not regulate glitter sold for celebrations.

• Illinois already bans microbeads in personal care products, so DuBuclet believes this proposed ban would be similar.

State of play: While no state bans glitter outright, Illinois joins California and New York in trying to prohibit the sale of glitter in personal care products.

• DuBuclet says education is the key to the public understanding the microplastic threat to our local environment.
• "Glitter adds magic to our lives, but there are safer alternatives out there," Parker adds.

The bottom line: Unlike glitter, it's unclear if this proposed ban will stick.

What's next: The bill has been introduced and could pass in the spring session, which ends in May.