Woolworths has announced that all plastic microbeads have been removed from its private label beauty and personal care products, making it easier for consumers to avoid being part of an environmental problem that is causing worldwide concern.  The good news for those who love using face and body scrubs is that the microbeads have been replaced with biodegradable ingredients that provide the same quality of exfoliation.

“We are celebrating this as an important milestone in our Good Beauty Journey,” says Deshi Moodley, Woolworths Quality Innovation & Sourcing Manager. “It has been well-proven that microbeads are a serious contributor to water pollution and there is urgency across the world to take quick action to eliminate them as an ingredient in beauty products. Woolworths is delighted to replace microbeads in our formulations with fantastic substitutes that are not just safe for our customers but for the environment, too.”

Microbeads are tiny, non-biodegrable plastic spheres that are widely used in face and body scrubs to deliver the exfoliating action. Barely visible to the human eye, it is the minute size of the microbead that is causing the big problem. In astronomical numbers, they flow down our sinks and baths through sewerage systems to water treatment plants that are unable to filter them out. Ultimately, they end up as a major contributor to the toxic plastic soup in our oceans, and also in fresh water systems that is endangering marine and aquatic life. There is no known way to remove microbeads from the ocean, and the situation has become so dire that governments such as the UK and Italy are currently drawing up legislation to ban the use of microbeads by the beauty industry in those countries.

Currently, Woolworths has replaced microbeads with natural and biodegradable alternatives such as Jojoba Oil Beads, apricot kernels and synthetic wax beads.  “Going forward, next year’s launch of new beauty products will include salt and sugar scrubs. As part of Woolworths’ Good Beauty Journey commitments, all our private label beauty products are also endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty, giving customers peace of mind.” adds Deshi.

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ISSUED ON BEHALF OF WOOLWORTHS

CONTACT:     DIANE PETERSON

CELL:              083 395 3566

EMAIL:            dianepeterson@woolworths.co.za