Pros And Cons Of Microbeads

“On March 24, 2015, the House of Commons voted unanimously to take immediate measures to add microbeads to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999)” (Canada Gazette, 2015). This decision was based on overwhelming evidence presented on the toxic nature of microbeads. The extensive research reviewed for this proposed regulation clearly indicates the following points:

● Personal care products such as facial, scrubs and soaps contains thousands of micro plastic per container which are washed down the drains, because they cannot be filtered out in the sewage systems they end up in our aquatic systems.

● Microbeads are a hazard to the environment because they are not biodegradable and they actually absorb toxins from their surrounding environment and so act as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). They

Also many companies are currently using some of these alternatives such as cellulose, seeds, shells and nuts.

4.2 DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT

The proposed amendment to regulation 455/09, under the TRA, effectively seeks to eliminate the use of microbeads in consumer products. Microbeads should be clearly defined within the regulation under the TRA as synthetic micro plastics that cannot be completely captured by existing wastewater treatment facilities and are not biodegradable and thus poses a potential threat to biodiversity.

This proposed amendment will, in accordance with the Act, subject the owner/operators of manufacturing companies that use microbeads to stricter requirements. They will be required to submit a statement that outlines their intent to “i. to reduce the use of the toxic substance at the facility, if the substance is used at the facility, and ii. to reduce the creation of the toxic substance at the facility, if the substance is created at the facility.” (TRA,