The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 has passed through the House and is now moving on to the Senate. The bill would begin the phaseout of microbeads from soaps and face washes that have been collecting in our oceans and waterways for years now. Every few months, a study is released showing how much plastic is collecting in different areas of the U.S. The good news is that the bill has the backing of a bipartisan committee which, in this day and age, is something of a Christmas miracle.
The Microbead Free Waters Act would start the phase-out of the tiny pieces of plastic found in soap, toothpaste and body washes beginning 1 July 2017. Microbeads can flow into rivers, lakes and streams where, they can be mistaken for food by fish. This can lead to the spread of pollutants throughout the food chain, including to humans.
It isn’t a done deal and more can always be done so keep the pressure on.