Microbeads might be on their way out – but have you thought about glitter?

Environment Minister Nick Smith announced earlier this year that cosmetic products containing tiny plastic pieces, known as microbeads, will be banned in July next year.

There are concerns about their impact on the marine environment, because they get through filtration systems and are ingested by marine life.

Foodstuffs has announced it will not stock any microbead products as of July this year.

But Trisia Farrelly, a social anthropologist at Massey University who specialises in research on plastic waste, said that was just the tip of the iceberg.

She said glitter was as much of a problem, and microfibres used in fabrics such as cleaning cloths, were worse.

"What we are asking for is a ban on all microplastics and not just cosmetic products but also consumer commercial products."

LISTEN ABOVE AS TRISIA FARRELLY SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING