Rep Slocum is a co-author of H.F. 541 which will phase out plastic microbeads in personal care products.
Synthetic micro beads are tiny plastic particles that have been added to toothpaste and facial scrubs in recent years. When they are washed down our drains, they are too small to be filtered out by our wastewater treatment facilities. They end up in our lakes and rivers, where they absorb toxins such as dioxins and PCBs.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has recommended that action be taken to accelerate the phase out of these products. Safer alternatives which would not harm our water are readily available. This bill provides firm deadlines for manufacturers and retailers to phase out the use of plastic microbeads in Minnesota.
