Glitter — the sparkly environmental menace

New research shows microplastics pollution from glitter damages marine ecosystems

Most glitter waste eventually makes its way into seawater due to its small size, lightweight nature, and widespread use, making it difficult to capture in waste management systems.

New research reveals that PET-based glitter microplastics can actively influence biomineralisation processes in marine environments, raising fresh concerns about the long-term environmental impact of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

The research, led by a team from Trinity College Dublin’s School of Natural Sciences and published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe, shows that these microplastics promote the crystallisation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals, potentially affecting the growth and stability of marine calcifying organisms.