28. Glitter
Glitter might look harmless, but these tiny, sparkling bits are actually microplastics used in crafts, cosmetics, and party decorations.
I’ve found glitter embedded in sand and floating in water samples, where it’s easily consumed by filter feeders and damages coral reefs.
Its minuscule size makes it nearly impossible to clean up, turning a source of joy into a persistent pollutant.
Learn more about glitter’s environmental impact in this National Geographic article.