Alliance for the Great Lakes logo.
  • Donate
  • Campaigns
  • Get Involved
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us

Search Alliance for the Great Lakes

  • Donate
  • Campaigns
  • Get Involved
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us
Donate
  • Home
  • News

Microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that were used as an abrasive in many personal care products. They were found in alarming numbers in the Great Lakes.

Visit our campaign page to learn about the successful campaign to ban microbeads in personal care products. Learn more about microbeads below.

Categories

Agricultural runoff
Green Bay dead zoneLake Erie algal bloom
Climate change in the Great Lakes
Combined sewer overflowsGreat Lakes water levelsGreen stormwater infrastructure
Drinking water
Drinking water affordabilityLead service lines
Environmental justiceGreat Lakes restorationInvasive species
Invasive carpInvasive species in ballast water
Other topicsPlastic pollution in the Great Lakes
Adopt-a-BeachMicrobeadsMicroplastics

Blog

June 29, 2018

Tiny Plastic, Huge Victory

As of July 1st, the final phase of the nationwide microbead ban will take effect, ending the sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads by retailers. Microbeads are tiny […]

BLOG

January 4, 2018

Finishing What You Started: Important victory on plastic microbeads to take effect in 2018

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the Great Lakes and the world’s oceans. Tiny plastic particles have been found in everything from drinking water to beer, according to researchers in the […]

Blog

May 26, 2016

Bead-ban campaign brings victory

The tiny plastic microbead — colorful exfoliant in many soaps, toothpastes and facial washes — was no match against our supporters’ fervor to cleanse them from Great Lakes waters. After […]

Press Release

December 28, 2015

Alliance statement on signing of Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 by President Obama

(Chicago, IL) December 28, 2015 – Statement by Molly Flanagan, Alliance for the Great Lakes vice president for policy, on the signing of the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 by […]

Press Release

November 18, 2015

Alliance statement on passage of Microbead-Free Waters Act by U.S. Senate

(Dec. 18, 2015) – The Alliance for the Great Lakes applauds the U.S. Senate’s vote today to adopt the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 and encourages President Obama to sign […]

Testimony

May 1, 2015

Alliance testimony before Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health: Microbeads in cosmetic products

(May 1, 2015) – Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Green, thank you for inviting me to appear before this subcommittee to address the threat posed to the Great Lakes by […]

Get the Newsletter

Get the latest updates about how you can help protect the Great Lakes.

Alliance for the Great Lakes logo.
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Charity Navigator Four Star
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 750 Chicago, IL 60601 | 312-939-0838

© 2023 Alliance for the Great Lakes. All Rights Reserved.

Sign up for our newsletter