No glitter on Christmas. This is a decision taken by many schools in the United Kingdom to educate children about the protection of the environment. Indeed, “classic” flakes are made of microplastics that pollute the oceans. Good News ? There are alternatives to greenery.

Whether in decor, in makeup or in clothing… Sequins make our eyes shine. But the flip side of the coin is that they are made of microplastic particles (those less than 5 millimeters in diameter) that are not biodegradable. Their microscopic size passes through the filters of wastewater treatment plants and the flakes flow into the ocean and oceans in waves.

so sequins are added to long list of microplastics, which would represent 85% of the more than 8 million tons dumped into the oceans each year. If there are no precise figures to determine the amount of microplastics that end up in the oceans, these ephemeral and colorful stuff should be a matter of awareness, or even ban, according to anthropologists. Tricia Farrelly, which launched a Rural areas on this in 2017

At that time, British schools had already ruled: nineteen British kindergartens had taken the shine off their Christmas creative workshops. Its aim is to make the general public realize that some everyday products contribute to polluting sea water.

What Ecological Choice?

If you still want your Christmas table to shine brightly and you haven’t finalized your purchases yet, know that there are options. Several labels have adopted the design of biodegradable flakes, such as the English brand Bioglitter, which distributes to about ten European countries (including France). Launched in 2010, the company designs its plant-based glitters that take about 100 days to degrade. Another British brand, eco glitter fun, offers flakes made from a compostable film.