While it may add some fun and glamour to the holiday season, glitter quickly loses its sparkle once you realize that it’s just another form of microplastic, bound to eventually make its way into the environment and harm marine life. But as awareness around the problem with glitter is growing, an increasing number of retailers are stepping in to do their part.
More recently, major UK retailers, including Morrisons, Waitrose, and John Lewis, have announced that their store brand holiday products will be glitter-free this year. The move is part of a wider push by similar companies to reduce plastic pollution associated with the festive season.
“Every time a cracker is pulled, or a card is opened, plastics have been used … but just the once. So, we’ve taken glitter and plastic out of our festive range this year – so that our customers can enjoy their festivities without worrying about the environmental impact,” said Christine Bryce, home director for Morrison. The company pledged to remove glitter from all of its greeting cards, wrapping paper, florist items, and all other seasonal products.
John Lewis and Waitrose are also saying goodbye to glitter. “All own-brand cards, crackers, wrapping paper, gift bags are now 100% glitter-free,” the stores said in a statement reported by BBC News.
Other UK stores are also joining in on the movement. Pharmacy chain Boots said it will stop wrapping Christmas presents in single-use plastic, while supermarket Sainsbury’s is eliminating glitter from cards, wrapping paper, and gift bags and reducing it for decorations and festive bouquets.
