Plastic glitter and non-biodegradable slime are unnecessary sources of plastic pollution. Used for minutes but persisting for centuries, they create microplastics that contaminate nature. The UK should ban their sale and support biodegradable alternatives, as it did with plastic microbeads.

Most commercial slime cannot be recycled because it is made from synthetic polymers and often contains plastic glitter, foam beads, dyes and other additives. Once used, it typically ends up in landfill or is washed away, where it can contribute to microplastic pollution. With over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced each year and less than 10% of plastic waste ever recycled, the UK should eliminate unnecessary plastic products that cannot be effectively recovered.