The Brown Thomas Arnotts group has announced the removal of all plastic-based cosmetic glitter products from sale across its beauty halls in-store and on its websites. The products include eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip glosses and glitter pots. The move is part of its sustainability programme and signifies its commitment to managing its environmental footprint and reducing the plastic pollution that comes with microplastic such as glitter. Over 470 cosmetic products have been removed from sale. According to research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global release of primary microplastics into the ocean was estimated at 1.5 million tons per year, accounting for an estimated 15 – 31% of total ocean plastic pollution.