Glitter.
It's instantly recognisable and very popular.
But, all that glitters is not exactly good. It might look shiny and nice - sometimes. But, it is also something that is harmful.
Glitter is harmful due to the fact that it is made out of plastics - the plastics that glitter is made out of are also called 'microplastics'. Microplastics like these are often sadly eaten by animals, as microplastics come to pollute places like oceans and seas.
Other animals, such as fish, also eat microplastics.
Animals will unknowingly eat microplastics and even plastics, which harms animals and sometimes even sadly kills the beautiful animals we share our home with.
Glitter is also harmful to the environment.
Glitter is harmful to the environment because it is one type of microplastic that pollutes the environment and our world. Glitter - like other microplastics - pollute ecosystems such as the world's oceans.
Therefore, not only does glitter harm and kill animals, but it also pollutes and ruins beautiful ecosystems. Glitter often gets everywhere when we use it, so, we often can't control or even see where the glitter is going when we use it. If rain washes it away then it can be blown into places where animals are about.
Glitter can be found in lots of different things.
We can find glitter on - shoes, clothes, bags, cards, nail polish, paper, pens, hair sprays, makeup and so much more.
The thing about glitter is - we don't need it. It would be better for animals and the environment if we were to stop using it.
If you want to help animals and the environment, then you should think about ditching that glitter. If you want to become eco-friendly and create a world that is less polluted for everyone, then you should think about ditching glitter.
Just small acts, like not buying things like glitter, can make a huge difference to the lives of animals. The WWF estimates that 100,000 marine mammals die each year because of plastic pollution. It has also been reported that every marine mammal has been found with microplastics inside of them.
Microplastics are not harmless to animals and the environment.
Glitter doesn't seem so cheerful when it causes harm. By ditching glitter we will be helping animals and the environment - it's not something we need, either.