Petition · Department for Business and Trade

Ban the use of bio-beads in water treatment works

Closed 97 signatures

What the petition asks

Ban the use of bio-beads in sewage and water treatment facilities, and enforce strict regulations to ensure no further environmental contamination occurs during the transition.
Bio-bead spills can cause serious pollution emergencies. In October 2025 tonnes of microplastic beads were released from the Eastbourne treatment works and washed up along the three-mile stretch of Camber Sands, which includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We are concerned that dead seals, porpoises, swans and other marine wildlife could be linked to bio-bead spills. These bio-beads are microplastics and used across the UK.

Timeline

18 Dec 2025 Petition opened for signatures
18 Jun 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 97
Status Closed
Department Department for Business and Trade
Opened 18 Dec 2025
Closed 18 Jun 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 13 Aug 2026.