Wisconsin Lawmakers Approve Ban On Microbeads

A bill that would phase out the use of microbeads in soap and toothpaste is on its way to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk.

Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic added to personal care products to promote exfoliation. They end up polluting Wisconsin’s lakes and streams because they don’t get filtered out by wastewater treatment plants.

Sturgeon Bay Assembly Republican Joel Kitchens said they’re a threat to human health and to Wisconsin’s economy.

“No district feels this threat more than mine does,” said Kitchens. “I live in Door County, which has the highest amount of shoreline of any county on the Great Lakes. Our businesses—our shipbuilding, our tourism, our fishing—it’s all tied to clean water.”

The bill passed on a voice vote. It already passed the state Assembly.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story featured reporting from the Associated Press. It has been replaced with original content.