Public awareness of ocean pollution is constantly increasing. But while this improved level of interest can be positive, it can often lead to confusion – especially around specific terminology. The word microplastics is a good example: What exactly are microplastics? Are they the same as plastic?
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Why are microplastics a problem – and what’s the solution?
Microplastics are essentially any type of tiny, solid plastic particle found as litter in oceans and other waterways. It often starts out as larger pieces of plastics that break down into tiny pieces over time (secondary microplastics). These do not dissolve in water, which means that the amount of these materials in our oceans can build up over time.
The public discussion about microplastics often includes microbeads – solid plastic particles five millimetres in size or smaller that are used in some rinse-off peeling and skin exfoliation products. However, the cosmetics industry is estimated to be responsible for just 2 percent of such microplastic pollution (from primary microplastics) and this figure is decreasing.
The infographic shows the sources of primary microplastics and is based on a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Secondary microplastics from plastic waste in oceans that breaks down into tiny pieces over time is not included.
While cosmetic products are only a minor contributor to potential environmental pollution, all cosmetic products launched by Henkel worldwide are made without solid plastic exfoliating particles. We brought together experts from across our business very early on to discuss this topic, speak about alternatives and phase out cosmetic products that still contained microbeads. One of these experts is Andrea Sättler, who leads a product development team within Henkel’s Beauty Care business unit. In an interview, she shares her insights and experience from Henkel’s approach to this topic.
When did Henkel identify microbeads as a potential problem?
We became aware of this topic back in 2012. At that time, the issue wasn’t really present in the media and only a handful of NGOs were beginning to draw more attention to it. We very quickly recognized that we needed to find a solution, because we were using microbeads in a few of our rinse-off facial and body care products back then. Sustainability has always been one of our strongest values at Henkel – so we couldn’t afford to waste any time before finding a solution.
How did Henkel react?
We brought together colleagues from across departments to identify how this challenge affected our product range and make sure we were a frontrunner in responding to it. Together, we jumped straight into the work and decided early on to use alternative abrasive materials like quartz sand whenever possible. We also stopped using microbeads in our cosmetic formulations. It was a really dynamic process, and everybody involved made an active contribution.
What have you achieved?
Our efforts have already achieved a lot. Since 2014, there have been no microbeads in our new cosmetic products launched in Europe. And at the beginning of 2016, we stopped using microbeads in any of our new cosmetic products launched anywhere in the world. I think we can be proud of this because our decision came well ahead of the recommendation issued by Cosmetics Europe in October 2015 – where it called for solid plastic exfoliation beads in rinse-off cosmetic products to be completely abolished by 2020. In the meantime, the cosmetics industry in Europe has reduced the amount of microbeads in its products by 97 percent between 2012 and 2017.
What are the next steps?
We are on the right path: Some time ago, we have already started eliminating solid, synthetic plastic particles used as opacifiers in certain cosmetic products to give them a creamy-white appearance. For example, in our body care series Fa, we are currently replacing the previously used opacifier step by step with a readily biodegradable alternative. From 2020 onwards, we will only use natural or biodegradable opacifiers in our Beauty Care products. This also holds true for all consumer products from Henkel.
Read more about our commitment here.
TextileMission
Henkel supports the TextileMission project, which aims to find solutions to the problem of environmental pollution caused by microplastics made of synthetic textiles. The project has attracted partners including the WWF, Miele and Adidas. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of microplastic that enters the environment as a result of household laundry – particularly from synthetic sports and outdoor clothing. Through advanced research, the project aims to develop textiles that lose fewer fibres or that are made of biodegradable materials. Alongside this, the participants aim to contribute to improvements in sewage treatment technologies. Collecting data about the extent and range of microparticle pollution caused by various types of synthetic textiles is also an important element of the project.
