Childcare chain bans children from using glitter
A UK childcare chain is planning to ban children from using glitter amid concerns about its impact on the environment.
The glitter will be banned from Tops Day Nurseries – a chain of 19 centres located across southern England.
Managing director Cheryl Hadland said the centres decided to stop using it because it contains microplastic, which can harm the environment.
"You can see when the children are taking their bits of craft home and there’s glitter on the cardboard, it blows off and into the air and on to the road," Ms Hadland said.
"And it’s only a tiny little bit, but we’ve got 3,000 children and they’re all doing Christmas craft at the moment, so we’ve got glitter everywhere."
She added: "I love glitter, it’s lovely, shiny, twinkly stuff, so it is kind of sad, but when we’re wrecking the environment we really can’t be doing it".
"So we’re just going to have to start getting our heads round using stuff that’s more sustainable."
The ban comes at the time of year when glitter is used on such things as Christmas cards and baubles.
Ms Hadland said the decision has only just been made so parents may not be aware of it, but claimed they would back the move.
"We did a survey a few months ago and 86% of our parents want us to be eco-sustainable. I think a lot of our parents really want us to do this."
The nurseries have already received the support of the Marine Conservation Society
"The majority of microplastics that get into the sea come from personal care products, household cleaners, tyre wear and other sources," said the conservation group’s Sue Kinsey.
"While glitter is only a small part of the microplastic load getting into watercourses and the sea, steps like these will all add up to something greater."
