A NURSERY chain, with a group in Salisbury, is to ban children from using glitter because of fears about the damage it causes to the environment.

The arts and crafts favourite used by youngsters to decorate Christmas cards is to be banned from Tops Day Nurseries in Odstock Road.

Tops’ managing director Cheryl Hadland has said that it comes said she made the decision after realising glitter is a microplastic which can harm the environment.

It also follows the announcement in July by Environment Minister Nick Smith that cosmetics and products, such as toothpaste, that contain tiny plastic pieces called microbeads will be banned next year.

A statement by the nursery chain said: “These tiny, shimmering specs of microplastic are virtually impossible to remove from the environment once there. When we’ve finished using plastic glitter for play, in decorating a card, sprinkling it into playdough or glue or painting with it, it goes into a bin or into the sink. It can’t be recycled because it isn’t practical to do so, it’s too small to separate out.

“Over time large pieces of plastic break down slowly so there is at least the opportunity to pick it up or sieve it.”

The nursery added that when glitter enters the environment by landfill, through the air being blown around, it sticks to people’s hands and goes down the sink into the water system, it sticks to people’s clothes or mops, which go through the washing machine, and out into the water system.

The chain has also stopped using plastic aprons and are using cloth ones instead and we have removed single use items such as straws and balloons as well as one use plastic cups, cutlery or plates.

Ms Hadland said: “We hope that our future generation will be more conscientious about their impact on the environment. We welcome support from parents and families, we believe this is a cultural change which will benefit not only us, but our children even more.”

The nursery has also started installing solar panels, ensuring that all company cars are electric and using fuel saving magnets on gas and water mains, introduced bamboo toothbrushes and recycled paint.