Coles and Woolworths ban products containing plastic microbeads

Coles and Woolworths ban products containing plastic microbeads

Major supermarket chains and beauty product manufacturers have committed to phasing out the use of microbeads in Australia, following US legislation to ban the tiny plastic particles that damage waterways and oceans.

Coles and Woolworths have promised to stop using microbeads in their own products from 2017, while global companies including Unilever, Beiersdorf​, Johnson & Johnson and The Body Shop have already commenced the phase-out.

Australian companies move to phase out microbeads from beauty products.

Australian companies move to phase out microbeads from beauty products.Credit:Getty Images

Microbeads are small pieces of plastic commonly found in facial cleansers, body scrubs and soap. They are washed into waterways where they settle into sediment.


The small plastic pieces can be consumed by marine life, and scientists believe they are also likely to attract other pollutants such as oils and pesticides.

Campaign: Jon Dee.

Campaign: Jon Dee.

Humans can ingest microbeads when eating contaminated fish.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced in December that state and territory governments had agreed to a voluntary phase-out of the beads by July 1, 2018.

Jon Dee, founder of environmental advocacy group Do Something!, said Woolworths and Coles should be commended for joining the stand against the beads, urging more Australian companies to follow suit.

Mr Dee, who has been leading a campaign to ban the beads, said most consumers were unaware of the damage they caused.

"The majority of Australians who buy personal care products that have microbeads in them would have no idea they contain minute pieces of plastic which go down the plughole and into waterways and into our oceans," he said.

"Billions of these small plastic microbeads end up in waterways and oceans every single year."

Information on the the packaging of many personal care products make it difficult for consumers to determine whether or not they contain microbeads, usually labelled as polyethylene (PE).

"Most people think that, when they feel that texture in a product, they are experiencing apricot kernels or walnut shells," he said.

They don't tell you what's in there that is bad for the environment.

Jon Dee

"They have no idea that what that is is small pieces of plastic because a lot of the packaging really stresses the natural side of the ingredients.

"They don't tell you what's in there that is bad for the environment. No one ever puts on their products: contains plastic microbeads."

The US passed legislation in December banning the use of microbeads in personal care products.

A spokesman for Woolworths said the company supported the removal of beads from Australian products.

"We have been working to phase out microbeads in our own brand skin- and body-wash products and at present we have one remaining product," he said.

"It is due to be phased out in the coming months."


A spokesman for Coles said the chain was "pleased" to have removed microbeads from all Coles brand products and would work with their suppliers to help them do likewise.

Aldi has been approached for comment.

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