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Microbeads have officially been outlawed in Ireland

Microbeads are mostly used in some soaps, shower gels and facial scrubs.

IRELAND HAS OFFICIALLY outlawed the sale, manufacture, import and export of products containing microplastics.

The Microbeads (Prohibition) Act 2019, which was signed into law on 6 February by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, comes into effect today. 

Plastic microbeads are mostly used in soaps, shower gels and facial scrubs to exfoliate skin, although they also can be found in toothpaste and abrasive cleaners.

The Microbeads Act also makes it an offence to dispose of any substance containing microbeads by pouring it down the drain or into marine or freshwater environments.

A person convicted of an offence under the Act could receive a fine and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Conviction on indictment (after being tried before a judge and jury) may mean a fine of up to €3,000,000 and/ or a prison sentence of up to five years.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned the responsibility of implementation with support from customs officials and gardaí.

A department spokesperson said that Ireland will continue to work with the Commission and other EU Member States to develop further “robust regulatory measures to address microplastic pollution”.

In October the EU gave Ireland the greenlight to outlaw plastic microbeads but has yet to introduce legislation for an EU-wide ban. 

The UK banned the manufacture and sale of microbeads back in 2018, following the US’s ban back in 2015.

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21 Comments
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    Mute Aaron92utd
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:03 PM

    Excellent. Enough plastic ruining the world.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:20 PM

    Remember, microbeads and microplastics are not the same, but are just as damaging. Microbeads are tiny beads designed specifically for soaps, cleaners, pastes, etc. Microplastics typically come from clothing, such as polyester, when you wash any clothes in your washing machine. They are just as dangerous to the environment as microbeads. Today’s law only banned microbeads.

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    Mute David Fitzgerald
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:14 PM

    The housing minister??

    58
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    Mute Lester Jeffcoat
    Favourite Lester Jeffcoat
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:13 PM

    Yet again the exfoliating community stands accused of reckless disregard for other human & animal life, just because their skin culture is different.

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    Mute Aaron Gibson
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    Feb 20th 2020, 5:11 PM

    Almost had a heart attack! My analbead collection is safe after all

    51
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    Mute John Judd
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    Feb 20th 2020, 4:15 PM

    if you mix salt with your shower gel works just as well for exfoliating.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Feb 20th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @John Judd: Also put some disused milk container lids into a liquidiser or coffee grinder and grind until you have tiny grains. You can then blend them with your favourite shower gel. It’s a great way to upcycle and have glowing skin.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 20th 2020, 9:57 PM

    @Paraic: you’ve got to be kidding me? Please tell me that was sarcasm.

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    Mute RJ.Fallon
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:44 PM

    the eu gave Ireland permission to pass this law ???

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    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
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    Feb 20th 2020, 4:00 PM

    @RJ.Fallon: This ban would be in violation of the free movement of goods if not approved at an EU level. National laws that ban products made in other EU states could be used to give domestic companies an advantage.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Feb 21st 2020, 8:55 AM

    @RJ.Fallon: I can tell you now if the EU ran this country it would be a far better place…..we are governed by crooks and con-men who are only interested in lining their and the buddies pockets!

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    Mute Marianne
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    Feb 20th 2020, 5:38 PM

    About time…

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    Mute PMBinARG
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    Feb 20th 2020, 4:12 PM

    Great news!

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    Mute Alan Rossiter
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    Feb 20th 2020, 3:03 PM

    Free the microbead 3.

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    Mute Aaron Gibson
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    Feb 20th 2020, 5:08 PM

    Almost had a heart attack! My analbead collection is save after all.

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    Mute Siobhan Rosemary
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    Feb 20th 2020, 9:37 PM

    So while I am using my facial scrub in the shower the garda will knock on my door and arrest me? Ha

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Feb 21st 2020, 1:40 AM

    Have a bathrobe handy, and just hope Shane Ross doesn’t come to bail you out! Seriously, that’s probably meant for companies who might dump all their remaining stock in rivers.

    7
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    Mute RJ.Fallon
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    Feb 20th 2020, 4:17 PM

    this ban would not give any domestic company an advantage , since every other country would do this anyway.

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    Mute Irene Dunne
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    Feb 21st 2020, 12:04 PM

    @Paraic: just think about what you said!

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    Mute Wayne Smith
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    Feb 20th 2020, 10:58 PM

    a bit over the top I say

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    Mute Damien Murphy
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    Feb 22nd 2020, 9:09 AM

    @Wayne Smith: You think? https://youtu.be/Bic7QEVRNe4

    1
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