Plastic microbeads have now been banned from cosmetics and personal care products in the UK.

From 9 January there is a ban on manufacture, and a ban on sales will follow. The Government promised to ban microbeads in 2016, following a US ban in 2015.

The ban on microbeads follows the charge placed on plastic bags and is likely to pave the way to some form of control on plastic bottles as the Government cements its green credentials. However, whilst energy production, ivory poaching and ocean pollution have made it to legislation, campaigners point to the issue of clean air as an remaining major issue.

On clean air the Government faces a balancing act as it attempts to promote electric vehicles whilst not appearing to stifle carmakers or be perceived as unfairly punishing diesel drivers.

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