Public Awareness and Consumer Perceptions of Glitter as an Overlooked Source of Microplastic Pollution

Glitter is an intentionally manufactured microplastic widely used in consumer products and industrial applications, yet public awareness of its environmental implications remains poorly investigated. This study assessed public awareness, perceptions of environmental impact, and consumer behaviour through a 14-question online survey completed by 610 respondents. A study-specific Glitter Awareness Score (GAS; theoretical range: 0–7) combined prior awareness of glitter as a microplastic with knowledge of its applications across six industrial sectors. Overall, 59.3% of respondents recognised conventional glitter as a microplastic, and the mean GAS was 5.37 ± 1.55. Despite this awareness, 90.2% of respondents providing a classifiable response reported not checking the type of material used for glitter before purchase. Most respondents perceived glitter as having a moderate or significant environmental impact, and GAS was weakly positively associated with perceived environmental impact. Age was independently associated with GAS, with respondents aged >40 years showing lower odds of being in a higher GAS category than those aged 15–20 years. Furthermore, 89.6% reported a self-perceived informational benefit from completing the questionnaire. These findings suggest that environmental awareness does not necessarily correspond to more environmentally informed self-reported purchasing behaviour, highlighting the need for improved consumer information on glitter composition and environmental implications.