In Rio de Janeiro, it is hard to imagine carnival without a rain of glitter. However, these microparticles that sparkle on the faces and bodies are very polluting because made of plastic. Brazilians have therefore opted for an alternative, more ecological, to accessorize their disguises: the spangle biodegradable.
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Saíram as fotos da ação that fizemos no Dia de Glória. : Dourado | Laranja | Vermelho : Luciana Arraes
The glitter plastic pose a real threat to marine wildlife: when you wash, they fall into the sewers and end up in the sea. «I always used a lot of glitter, I thought it was great. But when I discovered that they were made out of plastic and aluminum, I said to myself that it had to do something to change it», explains to the AFP Frances Sansao, 29 years old, in full preparations for the carnival which officially starts Friday.
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This architect by training, launched two years ago the brand Pura Bioglitter and has been a pioneer in the market of glitter green Brazil. Frances decided to make her own, because the import of existing products coming from Great Britain or of the United States was too expensive to be viable.
sequins are composed of algae and mica
inspired from cooking recipes vegan, she has tested several formulas, to get the best, seaweed, and rocks of mica. «These flakes are lighter and are not harmful. On the contrary, they are good for the skin and have no impact on marine life», she says. In just three days, «the glitter will break down and return to their natural state, algae and stones, this is not a problem that they end up in the sea.»
in Contrast to the glitter industry, the ecological have irregular shapes and a metallic, mica gloss less than aluminum. «The people engaged in the preservation of the environment will understand that it is not exactly the same thing [as straws plastic, ed], it is an eco-friendly alternative», she admits.
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one of her clients, Denise Davidson, head in a restaurant, is conquered: «It is really much better than the glitter industry. We live in a time where there is more attention to nature, I think a lot of people start to use» biodegradable products.
To make its glitter, Frances Sansao pays a seaweed powder in water and brings the liquid to a boil in a saucepan, until it achieves a pasty consistency. It then adds the powder of mica, dyes, and then spread the mixture and let it dry. He then takes the appearance of a large sheet of paper, it is then enough to crush into small pieces with a blender.
The straws are then stored in small vials and sold 10 réais the gram (about 2,30 euros). A large surface area, the industrial version plastic can cost ten times less expensive, especially if it is sold in large quantity, in pots containing 50 grams. With its two associated and two employees, Frances Sansao manages to produce 800 grams per day. His small company has plans to manufacture 50 kg up to the end of the carnival, on the 6th of march.
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tomorrow has more começa a abertura não oficial do carnaval no Rio de Janeiro! Vamos maquiar as meninas do @obloconce e estaremos fazendo flash make up no público we also Nós queremos as todxs se sintam bem a vontade pra’s faculty is vão usar Bioglitter rosa, azul or rosa e azul (or o arco-íris inteiro se preferir)! Venham cedo pra guarantee o make #vemcarnaval2019 #glitterbiodegradável #bioglitter
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«When I created Pura Bioglitter in 2017, the people told me that my concerns were overblown, that it was just glitter. But since there has been a growing awareness of the fact that it is no longer possible to continue to pollute the planet with all the plastic», she says. Even if demand continues to rise, Frances does not believe that it is possible to manufacture straws biodegradable industrial scale at competitive prices. This is why she advises those who continue to use sequins to plastic base to remove it from the body and throw it in the trash before showering, to avoid that the particles do not flow into the sea. But those who prefer the eco-friendly version can party with a clear conscience.