The Glitter Conspiracy
What is going to wipe out humanity first, AI or glitter?
Sometimes we all need to take creative breaks, so instead of focusing on my usual themes of nostalgia, tech, and consumerism, this week I have decided to explore a random idea I have been pondering for a while…
While AI is currently getting all of the attention, there is another big polluter out there that no one seems to talk about. Is it a conspiracy? Or is our society’s use of this product so deeply ingrained into our culture that we just choose to ignore any of its faults? I am talking about glitter!
Glitter conspiracy – So, who makes it? The largest producers in the U.S. are Meadowbrook Inventions and Glitterex Corporation, which make it out of metalized polyester film (so, plastic). There are also large producers in China and India; however, their glitter production is usually in addition to other products, usually additives. While it is difficult to track down exact numbers, one source – one of Scholastic’s educational pages for children, of all places (Lol) – says that around 10,000 tons of glitter are produced each year. Other sources claim that 10,000 tons is a modest estimate and likely only counts the glitter used in cosmetics.
While no one seems able to confirm the largest buyer of glitter, it appears to be the automotive industry and boat manufacturers (think cruise ships and yachts), as well as other unexpected places like pesticides, road paint, and other industrial coatings. Yes, not only is glitter a major contributor to microplastic pollution, but the companies that use the largest amounts of glitter are putting it on things that float directly in the ocean and face frequent abrasion from hazards and salt water – as well as in our towns and cities (road work), large agricultural operations (pesticides), and, I assume, global militaries (camouflage). While eco-friendly glitter made from things like cellulose or mica is gaining popularity, its production is still dwarfed by that of plastic and metal-based glitter.
Now, you might be asking… what can we do with this knowledge? Well, unless you’re a billionaire, boycotting yachts will have little to no effect on anything. (Maybe I’ll be thrifty and not upgrade my yacht this year.) So basically, there is little to nothing that we can do. Sure, the ban on plastic straws probably made a few seabirds happy, but ultimately all of our efforts to cut plastic out of our own lives are not going to stop the constant onslaught of microplastics into our bloodstreams.
We are always told by those in charge that we are to blame, as if all of our problems would be solved if only Susan in accounting would use more eco-friendly eyeshadow. Ultimately, there needs to be top-down legislation to cut down on microplastic pollution. But alas, rules for thee, but not for me. The powers that be will continue to produce as many pollutants as they choose, while continuing to blame the masses for our perceived frivolous use of take-out containers. Now enjoy your eco-friendly sparkles, rubes!