Unilever to remove plastic microbeads from soaps and scrubs

Unilever has demonstrated its commitment to environmental efforts by agreeing to remove plastic microbeads from its exfoliating soap and facial scrub products.

The health and personal care firm has confirmed that it is seeking a more sustainable alternative to the beads, which can take years to biodegrade and can cause damage to marine life and the food chain.

It is expected that this global phase-out will be completed by 2015, with the company's high-profile Dove and Radox brands among those set to be affected by the change.

The move has been welcomed by the Marine Conservation Society and the North Sea Foundation, as well as University of Plymouth marine science professor Richard Thompson, who was involved in research into the potentially harmful effects of microbeads.

A statement from the company said: "We can confirm that we are phasing out the use of microbeads in all of our personal care products. The issue of plastics particles in the ocean is an important issue."

This supports the goals of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, through which the organisation aims to achieve a goal of doubling in size while reducing its environmental footprint.