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Unilever To Quit Microplastics in Formulas

Polyethylene beads to be phased out by 2015.

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By: TOM BRANNA

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Unilever, the world’s No. 2 maker of household and personal care products, says it will phase out the use of microplastics in its formulas by 2015.


Many soaps, skin scrubs and shower gels contain microplastics, which are tiny polyethelene beads. Scientists and environmental groups are concerned that they contribute to polluting oceans.

The company said Thursday that it has “decided to phase out the use of plastic micro beads as a ‘scrub’ material in all of our personal care products” by 2015. Unilever’s personal care brands include Axe, Dove and Vaseline.

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