Campaign #1: “Microplastics in cosmetics and cleaning products” – launch + projection series
In November 2018, Ocean. Now! started its’ first campaign, “Microplastics in Cosmetics and Cleaning Products”.
I. An ART PROJECTION SERIES, supported by the renowned artist Swaantje Güntzel – more precisely her work “Microplastics II“. At selected locations in Berlin – among them some of political significance – we came together to project her piece of art. “Microplastics II” demonstrates the destructive character of Microplastics.
The artwork expresses our request: It’s time to #banmicroplastics in Cosmetics and Cleaning Products NOW.
II. In an OPEN LETTER, we ask the Minister of Environment, to
- introduce a ban for Microplastics in Cosmetics and Cleaning Products
- review the definition of Microplastics because currently, polymers in different form and shape as for example gel-, paste-like or liquid are also potentially harmful but have been ignored so far.
Background of the topic and our pledge:
The common practice of adding Microplastics to Cosmetics has been opposed by various organisations, institutions and individuals over the last five years. As the “voluntary renouncement” which has been agreed on by German givernment and the producers falls short of the actual idea of a ban, we felt it is high time to finally ask for it to be realised.
Furthermore, the – by far – higher volume of non-solid polymers (Synthetic materials) of different shape (gel-, paste-, wax-ike, liquid etc.) are still being ignored in the definition of “Microplastics”. We agree with the advice given by the Fraunhofer Institut that there is a need for a new definition of ‘manmade’ polymers which are potentially harmful for the environment, and to work with the term of “anthropogenic polymers” in future.
