Illinois bans microbeads

Illinois has banned the manufacture of products containing plastic microbeads, which are commonly used in personal care items such as soaps and exfoliants. The ban goes into effect at the end of 2018, and sales of microbeads, which are found by the millions in the Great Lakes, will be prohibited by 2019. In the meantime, consumers who want to stay away from microbeads are advised to avoid products containing polyethylene and polypropylene. The non-biodegradable microbeads have been found to harm wildlife and clog waterways. Manufacturers of products containing microbeads are reportedly working on long-term strategies to eventually eliminate them.