Q & A with the Experts: All that glitter is not gold

Glitter is all over. The ubiquitous sparkles are synonymous with glamour and celebration, but that shimmer comes at a significant cost. Dr. Christian Euler, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, uses microbes in his lab to create sustainable swaps for non-biodegradable materials. He says there’s more to glitter than meets the eye.

What is glitter made of?

It’s commonly made of the same plastic as plastic bottles, and precision manufactured to have flat surfaces and specific optical properties. To get that shimmering effect, it’s coated in a metal, often aluminum.

Does glitter have an environmental effect?

Glitter is microplastics. It’s intentional microplastics. Microplastics reduce the ability of the ocean to store carbon. They reduce the ability of soil to store carbon. They have negative effects on vertebrates — amphibians and fish, in particular. Traditional plastics are oil-based with a big carbon footprint. Because the plastic is coated in metal, there's mining involved to extract those materials, though aluminum is about 98 per cent recycled. 

How should we dispose of glitter?

Even if it goes into a landfill, it's possible for it to end up in waterways that will ultimately get into the ocean. Put it into a container that will not break down—glass or metal—and send it to the dump. Landfilling stuff is not ideal generally, but because of the recalcitrance of glitter, that's the best option. Replacing your current sources of glitter with sustainable ones is possible.

What are the alternatives?

A few companies make seaweed-based glitter. They replaced the plastic with seaweed and coat it in mica. Mica is a mineral that’s much more sustainable than a lot of the other options. Biodegradable glitter is found in some make-up, nail polish and food products. Companies tend to mention it on packaging, so consumers should check.