Should glitter be banned?

Polls

23rd November 2017

A CHAIN of nursery schools in Dorset has banned the use of glitter in their classrooms and sparked a national debate about whether it should be banned across the country.

Top Days Nurseries has banned the arts and crafts favourite because of the “terrible damage” it does to the environment. They hope other nurseries will follow.

Managing director Cheryl Hadland said: “There are 22,000 nurseries in the country, so if we’re all getting through kilos and kilos of glitter, we’re doing terrible damage.”

They are currently looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Glitter is a microplastic and when washed down drains can end up in the water system and the food chain.

It is estimated that there are around 46,000 pieces of waste plastic in every square mile of the sea.

Glitter is thought to be a tiny part of the problem, but the Marine Conservation Society say that every small step helps.

Earlier this year the Government announced a ban on microbeads in cosmetic products. From June 2018 it will be illegal to sell products containing microbeads.

Should glitter be banned?

106 Comments

Leave a Reply

peony · 7 years ago

This question is very strange - why on earth should glitter be banned? Glitter is harmless, the pieces are so small that it really can't do any harm.

wren · 7 years ago

Think about it, is glitter really necessary to human life? Some people may say so, but I don't agree.

turquoise4 · 7 years ago

Glitter is a very fun and creative substance but it can cause lots of damage to the environment.
If nurserys find a more eco friendly idea that would be great but if not then try to minimaize the amount of glitter used. Maybe since there are so many nurserys maybe their could be a system were half of the nurserys use glitter and the other half don't each for half a year or the nurserys could send a vote to parents whose children go nursery whether they want their kids to play with glitter or not and the nursery can build their use of it or not based on that.

coolguy · 7 years ago

No ! But people should take care of how they use it

coolguy · 7 years ago

✌?????????????☝️☯️???????♻️☦️☸️☮️? are my frequenly used emojis???

cooledie · 7 years ago

I know glitter causes harm to the environment, but surely we don't have to ban it, cant we just not use as much? I mean, glitter is life to most people, it cheers them up, so we can't get rid of it , not now. It would be great if scientists find an alternative that is just like it, but meanwhile can't we just minimise the amount we use? The world would be very drab for some people if we didn't have glitter!

gugu9 · 7 years ago

If it does so much damage then obviously it should be banned. Does anyone even use glitter anymore? The only places I see glitter nowadays is on stationery, and I think it would look just the same without glitter.

gugu9 · 7 years ago

turqoise4's idea is actually pretty good, BTW.

soozles · 7 years ago

Glitter does not do any harm to anyone!Why should it be banned?!

owly · 7 years ago

The other day my class and I went to the water works where they clean your sewage so it's clean enough to go in rivers, but the workers there were complaining about how much litter is flushed down the toilets. It's disgraceful! Apparently someone accidentally flushed a credit card and £50 down. They also see nappies, goldfish and glitter...

bunnymunch · 7 years ago

I seriously don't think glitter should be band because children love glitter and I don't think there is a reason what so ever to ban it! I bet it is just the teachers who can't be bothered to clean it! We all ? Glitter!!!! ????

bloodgun · 7 years ago

I support eco friendly

sinister50 · 7 years ago

No, children should be allowed to express their creativity and fun side!

dancemunch · 7 years ago

Glitter isn't nearly as necessary to anyone, so why are we putting it over the environment, which is the key to all living organisms? We need to take as many steps as we can, however big or small, so that it won't be at risk the way it is at the moment.Its a no brainer.

sapkling · 7 years ago

I think glitter should not be banned it is so nice do you agree

hej · 7 years ago

Glitter is great but to much is bad I vote...............No!

xmasfan · 7 years ago

I think that glitter should be banned! This is because, is it really vital for us to live our lives using glitter? It doesn't harm us however it can harm the environment! What is more important, glitter or the environment? You can still make decorations look gorgeous without glitter by using other materials! Maybe if people still want to use glitter then there should be some sort of way to use it without any glitter going to waste.

GeeMee · 7 years ago

These young children should have the chance to enjoy themselves while they can

queenfirst · 7 years ago

if we don't ban the glitter then in maybe in about 20 or 30 years a lot more animals will be extinct.

orb · 7 years ago

I think it is a very good thing to do because it goes down the sink and makes sea creatures sick.

anjana · 7 years ago

Just imagine, if we damage our environment, then we won't have anywhere to live or we won't be able to experience such exotic animals and inventions. This is going to be a much more bigger problem than glitter. So i think we need to do whatever is best for our environment. NO ENVIRONMENT, NO US!!!!!!!!!

pugtato42 · 7 years ago

There isn't anything wrong with glitter but there shouldn't be as much used.

VAHC · 7 years ago

I've never fought glitter could cause so much damage. I think they should an glitter and find a more eco-friendly alternitive

samj · 7 years ago

The government have banned micro-beads, and they're even smaller than glitter!

jaguar119 · 7 years ago

no but if the nurseries find a more eco friendly idea then it should.

jaguar119 · 7 years ago

I meant nursery schools.

elout · 7 years ago

GLITTER!Should not be people might not have a experience with it!

jaffacat · 7 years ago

Yes I think glitter should be band, because if it is ruining marine animals lives then why should we be ruining or taking there lives because we like the look of sparkly things. It's just selfish!

izzy_xxxxx · 7 years ago

Microbeads r a really important problem and if everyone does something 2 help that's great, there must b a more eco-friendly alternative 2 microbeads in glitter, and other common substances that contain microbeads. I think ingredient labels on things should make it obvious whether they contain microbeads

tiger6 · 7 years ago

I get that it may do minor harm to the environment, but just just because something can do harm it doesn't mean we should just get rid of it. If we use it sensibly, then we don't have to ban it.

mintpanda · 7 years ago

Glitter is not something that harms the environment that much

strictly22 · 7 years ago

Glitter ,although seems very fun and pretty, causes lots of harm to the environment. Also it is very difficult to clear up.ALL PLASTIC IS BAD!!

melon_cow7 · 7 years ago

I voted YES. This is because glitter can fall down drains and eventually get into the sea, which will then harm marine life. However, you can get environmentally friendly glitter which won’t harm marine life, so I think the glitter that isn’t environmentally friendly should be banned but the type of glitter that is environmentally friendly shouldn’t be banned.

roarso101 · 7 years ago

Glitter is used so much in nurseries- if you take it away it's another thing that nurseries can't use.

Isabelly · 7 years ago

No, glitter is amazing. It is so sparkly and awesome. Glitter is my favourite colour! But it quite harmful to animals.

moonlight1 · 7 years ago

I don't think glitter should be banned-children have fun with it nurseries and it doesn't have any health and safety issues. The only thing wrong with it is it sticks to your hands!

oceangirl · 7 years ago

If glitter is used occasionally and only if you need too, then I see no problem in using glitter ????

appleman · 7 years ago

glitter is amzing for decorating but the earth is falling apart, we need to do all we can to save it
#savetheworld

appleman · 7 years ago

turquose4 is right. what if glitter was only sold in small boxes or a glitter tax?
#save the world

appleman · 7 years ago

the problem really is everything around us harms the environment
plastic, wood, meat

appleman · 7 years ago

use #savetheworld

kittens23 · 7 years ago

GLITTER BAN!!!!!!!!??????

G1raffe · 7 years ago

I think glitter shouldn’t be banned because children love using glitter as it adds sparkle and lots of people love sparkle! If we don’t waste as much glitter, children will still be able to enjoy having sparkle.

woof04 · 7 years ago

Glitter has been used for decades. Besides, I thought it was made from tin bits of card, not plastic. Why don't they think of other ways to make glitter better for the environment, instead of banning it altogether? Doing arts crafts using glitter encourages kids to be creative, and there are so many other things that we do that's bad for the environment, like littering and smoking.

newser1 · 7 years ago

So many careless people decide to just DUMP there stuff in the sea. So many marine creatures are dead or will be because of this.

darknite72 · 7 years ago

Glitter isn't needed all you need is a gel pen or something its unneeded

lamppost · 7 years ago

bye far no

lamppost · 7 years ago

bye far no glitter is so coooooooooooool

rupertcull · 7 years ago

yes because it is harmful to the planet

appleman · 7 years ago

#savetheworld

burgerboy · 7 years ago

If it is only a tiny part of the problem then we should deal with bigger things first.

kitten6262 · 7 years ago

Glitter cant harm ANY child or adult its just ting pieces of shiny things

welovenews · 7 years ago

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

welovenews · 7 years ago

Why should it be banned? I mean glitter is sparkly,cool and awesome.So no!

pony · 7 years ago

Glitter is a product that can be used creativley

moojingles · 7 years ago

If you look at the bigger picture each tiny piece of glitter is not biodegradable and so that chokes the ocean slowly.

spagletti · 7 years ago

It is bad for the environment,but mybye we could make enviromently friendly glitter.

popchip4 · 7 years ago

GLITTER IS AWESOME I DONT KNOW WHY THEY EVEN THOUGHT OF BANNING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!XD XD XD

musli12345 · 7 years ago

I think no because glitter ✨ is little bits of plastic I think it is harmless but some people don’t think so

Kate Appleby · 7 years ago

We don't think glitter should be banned but we promise to be more careful with it.

boffjr2008 · 7 years ago

Glitter may be bad for the environment but if we don't use as much (e.g not kilos and kilos) we will cause less damage. There's no need for it to be BANNED!

stride03 · 7 years ago

glitter is not harmless it is not good for the enviroment

winnieflo · 7 years ago

Although glitter could be a little harmful. A sprinkle or two isn’t going to hurt, that’s why I voted no.

kgrewal · 7 years ago

Although it is very useful for decoration, it is not environmental friendly.

icecream2 · 7 years ago

But I love glitter# it makes stuff look pretty# I know its a bit fiddly but OMG! so many of you guys hate glitter##

jelibean · 7 years ago

I think:is it that harmful?I have never thought it could be.

huddlest · 7 years ago

I don't like glitter and it harms the environment.

bunkins · 7 years ago

I have swallowed glitter before it can't be THAT BAD!

cmi_hall1 · 7 years ago

If it helps the environment then yes

eveeeee · 7 years ago

No unless there is a more environmentally friendly alternative

derpydude · 7 years ago

glitter is not an essential to human life and causes lots of wreckage to our environment so i think it should be banned

bugster@sm · 7 years ago

???????????????????????

7diamond07 · 7 years ago

I think no because we could use substitutes even if is bad for the environment.

tiffanycat · 7 years ago

if glitter is damaging our environment then this needs to STOP! kids in nursery, this is their environment too not only ours so if its theirs too then they're damaging their own environment. THINK people THINK is this good for our environment now!

emojiluv05 · 7 years ago

Yes it is so fun

vvvv · 7 years ago

Simple answer. Take care how you use it or pay. Don't ban.

puppy123 · 7 years ago

no, because as long as you are sensible whith it, it won't cause you any harm and also it is very useful and pretty

RoseBun · 7 years ago

I do not think it should because you can just be careful of where you put it.

sophette · 7 years ago

I think it shouldn’t be band because you can just not put it down the sink, and into the bin instead! Also, you can get environmentally friendly glitter which doesn’t harm anything. ?

loading795 · 7 years ago

I know glitter is so cool and tiny so it seems really harmless but it is really hard to break down and can cause a lot of damage to the environment

pipping · 7 years ago

Toddlers love glitter and I do as well and i'm 10 . I mean glitter adds a sparkle to everything and it cheers you up. Like when you feel down you just draw something and put glitter on it and you suddenly feel better!! GLITTER SHOULDN'T BE BANNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

artymartin · 7 years ago

Glitter is a wonderful pice to add to art so if could find a more environmental glitter perhaps glitter could be used again.

catgirl101 · 7 years ago

I am not sure. life would not be the same without GLITTER!!! But it could harm the environment :(

joohyun56 · 7 years ago

It could harm the environment however glitter can let your creativity flow and if someone wants to be an artist you have to be imaginative

tiffany37 · 7 years ago

EVERYONE NEEDS glitter #glitter4life <3 they're just tiny specs of shiny dust substance i guess?

tcgmgirl · 7 years ago

I like glitter ?

tcgmgirl · 7 years ago

I like glitter I find it fun!?

april2008 · 7 years ago

no

drummer1 · 7 years ago

There needs to be a more eco-friendly glitter.

plopping · 7 years ago

but all those little pieces do build up
theres a lot of glitter in reindeer food which just gets blown away to who knows where but build up

u124 · 7 years ago

it is very harmful to the inviroment

epicvader · 7 years ago

Yes, just because we want something that we don't even need, we are damaging the enviroment.

soggynando · 7 years ago

I don’t think they should ban glitter because people can get alott of confidence from playing or using glitter ✨ and young people love it !!!!!!!!

orangebob9 · 7 years ago

I said yes as it is ruining the environment on top of all the other things like plastic bottles and not recycling.

bigfatcat · 7 years ago

Why

rosyrhada · 7 years ago

I love glitter its soooooooooooooooo pretty and I have no idea why its should be band.
If you now tell me what you think.

22well · 7 years ago

It is so so so so so so bad for the environment I said........................................yes

sealover13 · 7 years ago

Even the smallest pieces of plastic can cause harm! It gets washed down drains into the sea and plankton eat it and fish eat plankton and bigger fish eat the fish etc. And the chemicals in the plastic can harm animals all the way up the food chain. I recently watched blue planet 2 and am now against plastic!!!

hobbes123 · 7 years ago

Glitter should be banned because it is micro plastic and will damage the oceans ???????????????? and then we won’t have any coral reefs ☹️☹️?
If you agree use a ?!!!!!

holholster · 7 years ago

Glitter should not be banned, as when I was in nursery, I found it a very useful and fun to use crafting substance. Even though this product can make a mess, we should be able to use it if we want to.

xdcoconut · 7 years ago

WELL FROM SCHOOL IT SHOULD BE BANNED! IF IT'S IN YOU PENCIL CASE IT MIGHT FALL OUT AND IF ITS GLASS COVERING IT WOLD SMASH AND GLITTER WOULD GO ALL OVER THE FLOOR!

ti-10 · 6 years ago

I voted 'yes'. Glitter is fun to play with , but maybe the government can find or make a more eco-friendly/bio-degradable glitter.

pavarti · 6 years ago

GLITTER IS NOT BAD!

flossingg · 6 years ago

yes but I love it. #sad

katkid10 · 4 years ago

I LOVE GLITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laman123 · 6 months ago

Bad for🌏🌍🌎🌐