US Capital Considers Microbead Ban

The epicenter of US regulations is making some of its own regarding personal care products. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration is proposing to prohibit the production and sale of personal care products that contain microbeads, calling the plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size “dangerous pollutants in the District's waterways, causing hazards to fish, amphibians, and humans.”

The microbead ban is part of an omnibus fisheries and wildlife bill recently introduced to the DC Council. Per the measure, as of Jan. 1, 2018, no business in DC will be allowed to manufacture for sale, sell or import any over-the-counter personal care product containing plastic microbeads. The fine for violating the proposed law is up to $37,500 per day per offense, in addition to legal fees and damages if the city takes the seller to court.


At least nine states have already adopted microbead prohibitions, including Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine and California. Like the District, all of the states' bans will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018.


According to Beat the Bead, an anti-microbead NGO and an affiliate of the Amsterdam-based Plastic Soup Foundation, there were at least 91 items still on worldwide markets as of July containing microplastics, including products from Crest, Colgate, Axe, Dove, The Body Shop, Neutrogena, Garnier, Rite Aid, Aveeno, Olay and CVS.