Lush Cosmetics and Ottawa Riverkeeper Fight to ‘Ban the Bead’

Lush Cosmetics has partnered with Ottawa Riverkeeper – a non-profit group dedicated to protecting the Ottawa River and its tributaries – to push for a ban on the sale and manufacturing of microbeads and microplastics in Canada. Approximately 92 percent of the plastic found in the world’s oceans is made up of microplastics, which are posing a problem for many aquatic animals. Biodegraadble plastics aren’t a viable option either since they don’t break down in the marine environment. (Biodegraable plastics were designed to decompose in industrial composting facilities.)

To tackle this issue, Lush and Ottawa Riverkeeper are asking consumers to take action and sign an online petition urging the federal government to put a stop to microbeads in cosmetic products. You can find the petition at www.ottawariverkeeper.ca.

In addition to signing the petition, consumers can help by choosing an exfoliant made with natural alternatives to microbeads. For a limited time, Lush will be selling Life’s A Beach Body Scrub, which is made with fine sea salt and sand. One hundred percent of the purchase price will be given to Ottawa Riverkeeper and other grassroots organizations dedicated to banning microbeads and microplastics. Available in stores June 5 ($7 for 3.3 oz).