Consumers Can Protect New York’s Waters From Plastic Pollution By Refusing To Buy Toothpastes, Scrubs and Shampoos Containing Microbeads; Pamphlet Lists Tips To Identify Products With Microbeads
(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a new pamphlet released by his office aimed at helping consumers choose personal care products that do not contain microbeads, a known form of plastic pollution. Titled “Microbeads Megaproblem: Keep Your Home Free of Plastic Microbeads [http://www.ag.ny.gov/pdfs/
The pamphlet is being issued as a guide to consumers while the Attorney General’s Microbead-Free Waters Act (S3932-2015) awaits passage by the New York State Legislature. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would prohibit the distribution and sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads in New York. The state Assembly passed the bill in April, and the bill is currently co-sponsored by 34 State Senators, which is more than the number of votes needed for passage.
“From the Great Lakes to the Long Island Sound, New York’s waterways are invaluable resources that must be protected from avoidable forms of plastic pollution like microbeads,” said *Attorney General Schneiderman*. “We need legislation to ban the bead in New York State, but in the meantime, these tips will help consumers fight to protect our natural resources, our wildlife, and our outdoor economy – preserving them for generations of New Yorkers to come.”
Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic that are added to over one hundred personal care products sold in the United States, including face scrubs and toothpastes. The Attorney General’s pamphlet offers three easy steps to help fight microbead pollution by choosing not to wash your face and brush your teeth with plastic.
