Campaign #1: #banmicroplastics in cosmetics

#banmicroplastics

Thanks for your interest in joining our action!

The European Union is currently drafting a legal ban of microplastics in cosmetics and cleaning products.* It would allow progress on the path for a more toxic-free environment. That said, we have also learned that the industry is trying to water down this law.

The signs are clear: 83% of Germans wish for cosmetics containing no microplastics but these products still enter the market. They contain synthetic polymers making our skin “soft” or “wrinkle-free“. Synthetic polymers – the chemical material plastic consists of – can be of solid or liquid form. Producing them is extremely cheap and they are therefore a popular ingredient.It is hard to believe that microplastics have been used for decades – despite poor biodegradability. After years of dialogue between industry and government, we therefore pledge that it is – finally – time to:

Our asks for Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation of the REACH amendment:

- - no minimum size for the definition of microplastics
  - a 3-year transition period for cosmetics businesses to remove microplastics in both rinse-off and leave-on products

How you can join:

Take a photo of our #banmicroplastics sign on paper or on a digital device.

If you don’t want to show your face, that’s fine, you can still show #banmicroplastics somewhere in nature, for example. Make sure that #banmicroplastics shows from the front and that the picture is taken during daylight.

Send the photo to projects@ocean-now.org with your name and social media handle(s) (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and where you are based you, so we can tag you. Drop the latter if you want to not show your face.
OR
Post the photo yourself in your Social Media channels: tag the Ministry of the Economy and Peter Altmaier.

Text modules – feel free to get inspired by these. Plus: always add #banmciroplastics to the end of your text and tag Peter Altmaier and BMWi.

“The concentration of #microplastics in our atmosphere is rising at an alarming pace. Microplastics in cosmetics only make a small part of the overall sum but are the easiest to avoid. We ask you, Minister of the Economy, Peter Altmaier/BMWi, to stand in for a “no minimum size” definition of microplastics. We cannot afford more ‘liquid microplastics’ in the enviroment.”

“Now is the moment for humanity to put nature over profit and to #buildbackbetter. Peter Altmaier/BMWi, Minister of the Economy, we ask you to support the idea 3-year-transition period of businesses in the categories ‘rinse-off’ and ‘leave-on’ cosmetics to phase out products containing microplastics.”

“Why put plastic on our skin and into bodies? There are many alternative brands on the market working with biodegradable ingredients – in fact, it is simply wrong that non-biodegradable products are allowed to be on the market to start with. Peter Altmaier/BMWi, Minister of the Economy, we pledge you to stand up for a truly sustainable cosmetics industry. Will you support our pledge?”

“Peter Altmaier/BMWi, Minister of the Economy, we see an urgent need for the German Economy to take the Precautionary Principle of the 1992 UN Rio Declaration more seriously. It also involves avoiding products emitting toxins. With a progressive legal ban of microplastics in cosmetics, Germany would send a strong signal that – after years of dialogue – it is ready for a truly sustainable economy. We ask you to stand on the right side of history.”

What will happen to your photo?

We will post your photo together with other photos in May 2021 and we will also create a collage showing all of the photos at the end of the project. Together, we send a strong signal to Peter Altmaier and motivate him to stand in for a progressive legal ban of microplastics in cosmetics and cleaning products.

By sending your picture, you consent to it being used on Ocean. Now!’s social media platforms and on our website. For details, please view our privacy policy. Also, if you have any questions, please contact us at any time at projects@ocean-now.org. Please note that this project will terminate on May 31st.

Thank you for your contribution!

the team at Ocean. Now!

*The ban of microplastics in cosmetics is being drafted within the framework of the so-called “REACH” (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) process.
** The Precautionary Principle (Principle 15 of the 1992 Rio Declaration) is part of the UN development policy. In the German Environmental Law, the Precautionary Principle appears in several paragraphs.
***Microplastics are non-biodegradable, meaning once they are produced, it is nearly impossible to get rid of them. This is why so much plastic ends up polluting our land and waters, causing permanent damage to our ecosystems, and to our own health.