What makes glitter attractive? It sparkles and reflects light.
It’s a shame that this beauty standard comes with an environmental and health cost. Glitter is made from plastic, and like all plastics, it never truly degrades. That means glitter ends up in landfills where it will sit for ages without breaking down, only adding to the plastic pollution problem.
Glitter also has health implications – it often contains BPA, which the CDC found in 93% of Americans. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that can lead to reproductive issues, heart disease, and cancer. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises avoiding using products with glitter until more information comes out about the health risks of BPA and other toxins.
That means it’s time to find glitter alternatives that are not only more sustainable but also safer for your kids. For those of you who can’t live without some sparkle, here are some great glitter alternatives that will shimmer as brightly as the real thing:
Table of Contents
1. Paper Glitter
Glitter made from paper is a great alternative to plastic glitter. Paper glitter is biodegradable and water-soluble to break down more quickly than regular glitter. It won’t last as long, but your little one will have a greater peace of mind knowing that she’s not adding to the problem of pollution.
Paper glitter also comes in a wider variety of colors and styles. You can even make your own by gluing sparkly paper onto craft sticks.
2. Recycled Glass Glitter
Recycled glass glitter is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic glitter that lasts longer. It’s made from recycled glass, melted down, and then molded into glitter. It’s perfect for those who want to look as beautiful as they feel inside and out.
3. Gemstones & Crystals
Gemstones like agate, jasper, and quartz crystals make great glitter alternatives because they’re beautiful, sparkly, and durable. Of course, these natural gems come in a huge range of colors, sizes, and styles. They also benefit from being simultaneously therapeutic – some crystals reduce stress, ease anxiety, or promote sleep.
4. Homemade Glitter
The simplest way to make your glitter is by investing in a bottle of ultra-fine craft glitter. You can use it as glue to stick paper sequins onto craft sticks or spoons, or you can put it in clear nail polish and use it as a glittery topcoat.
5. Sand & Sea Glass
As long as there’s sand and sea glass, there will be natural alternatives for plastic glitter! Both sand and sea glass contain naturally occurring metals that sparkle in the sunlight. You can use small pieces of sand and sea glass to decorate craft sticks or spoons, or you can mix them with glue to make your glitter.
6. Recycled Plastic Glitter
If all these alternatives make you want to go back to plastic glitter, you can – but only if it’s reclaimed plastic. Reclaimed plastic glitter is made from plastic that would otherwise be in landfills. Since it’s already been in the environment, there shouldn’t be any negative health effects of reclaimed plastic glitter. If you do decide to use this glitter alternative, make sure you process it through a filter first, and only let your kids play with it when you’re present.
7. Metal Glitter
Metal glitter is a relatively new alternative to plastic glitter, and it’s not only very durable but also comes in a huge range of colors and styles. Keep your little ones safe with metal glitter from safe companies like ArtMinds that contain no lead, cadmium, or phthalates.
8. Organic Glitter
Organic glitter is made from vegetable-based colorants and sustainably harvested wood that’s shredded into tiny pieces. It’s the safest alternative to plastic glitter, but it’s also pricier than other alternatives. If your heart is set on organic glitter for your little one, look out for it during the holiday season when supplies are low, and prices can rise.
9. Paper & Wood Glitter
If paper and wood morsels aren’t glittery enough for you, there’s always paper and wood glitter! These alternatives are just like regular glitter but come in more colors and styles than plastic glitter, and they’re made from renewable materials. Plus, they’re biodegradable!
10. Glass Beads
Like sea glass, you can use recycled glass beads to make your glitter. Mix the beads with an adhesive or glue them onto craft sticks if that’s what you’re using. You can even put them in clear nail polish for a sparkly topcoat.
11. Recycled Craft Glitter
Whether it’s made from reclaimed plastic or paper, plenty of recycled craft glitters is available on the market that you can use as an alternative to typical craft glitter. This type of glitter is durable, but make sure you process it through a filter before letting your kids play with it.
12. Loose Pigments & Powders
Loose pigments and powders are glitter alternatives that come in many colors, including metallics, pastels, and neons. You can use them as regular glitter, but they aren’t usually as shiny or sparkly. They tend to be more muted than plastic or paper glitters.
14. Pressed Glitter
Pressed glitter is a great alternative to plastic glitters, and you can find it in a huge range of colors and styles. Just like reusable plastics, make sure you clean your pressed glitter with soap and water before using it – or the colors could change.
15. Beads & Sequins
Beads and sequins make great glitter alternatives, but a few things to keep in mind. Craft stores sell polymer beads and sequins, but the problem is that they’re not always uniform. The same model of craft bead could come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, which can be very frustrating for craft purists. Furthermore, some craft purists avoid using craft beads, sequins, and other embellishments altogether.
17. Compostable Glitter
Compostable glitter is made from tapioca starch or vegetable starches, so it’s completely biodegradable! However, keep in mind that this glitter isn’t as durable as plastic glitter, so it may not be ideal for craft projects that involve a lot of play.
18. Confetti
Confetti is a great alternative to glitter, and you can find it in a huge range of colors and styles. Just like regular confetti, this type of glitter doesn’t have adhesive or any other backing, so it’s perfect for things like decorations, scrapbooks, and cards.
19. Dimensional Glitter
Dimensional glitter is made from two-part glue and plastic yeast beads, making it great for art projects and baking soda slime. It usually comes in a few colors, but you can find it with gold or silver flecks as well. This type of glitter can be messy and hard to clean up, so make sure you do a quick sweep before playing with it.
20. Bismuth Oxychloride
Most craft glitter is made from heavy metal oxides, but if your goal is earth-friendly glitter that’s completely free of heavy metals, then bismuth oxychloride should do the trick. Bismuth is a naturally occurring mineral used in all sorts of products, from cosmetics to medicine.
21. Non-Toxic Crayons & Glue
Crafters have been making their glitter from crayons and glue for years, but it can be messy when kids use it. However, there are now non-toxic crayons made from soy, so if you use them to make your glitter, it should be safe for everyone.
22. Puffed Rice
Puffed rice makes great craft or art glitters because it’s very easy to apply and comes in various colors. If the particles are too large, you can always process them in a food processor or coffee grinder.
23. Glitter Mesh
Glitters made from glitter mesh are great for greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and other craft projects because they’re very thin, flexible, and easy to cut. These glitters are typically made from nylon, but some brands put them together with a bit of aluminum.
24. Polymer Clay and Embossing Powder
If you’re looking for glitter alternatives that come in bright colors and sparkly finishes, then polymer clay and embossing powder are perfect. You can usually find them in the same craft store aisle as paper glitters, but they work a little differently. To make polymer clay glitter, you mix the clay with loose glitter or embossing powder and then put it into a garlic press to create small beads.
25. Acrylic Paint
There are tons of ways to make acrylic paint glitters, but here’s an easy way: take equal parts acrylic paint and clear glue, mix them in a bowl, spread them onto a baking sheet, and bake them in the oven for about an hour at 150° Celsius. This creates small glitter particles with a smooth surface perfect for all kinds of art or craft projects.
27. Sugar
Sugar is another great crafting ingredient because it’s easy to get your hands on, but there are a few different ways to use it in your craft projects. You can make it into a thin paste by mixing equal parts sugar and water (heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves), or you can try using an old glue gun by adding tape to the end of the barrel.
29. Tapioca Pearls
Tapioca pearls have been used as an alternative to craft glitter for a long time, but it’s important to be aware of the differences between the two. Glitter is typically made from metal or plastic, while tapioca pearls are made from starch and water, so they’re a completely different type of product. Tapioca pearls also don’t decompose in water, so they’re not better for the environment.
30. Mica Flakes
Mica flakes are made from minerals, but they look very similar to craft glitter. These beautiful flakes come in tons of different colors and can be used for gifts, packaging, or just about any art project. The only downside to mica flakes is that they’re very lightweight, so you may need a lot of them to create the right effect.
31. Broken Glass
Broken glass always makes for a beautiful art material, but it’s even better when it comes in glitter form. If you want the look of broken glass without all the danger, then opt for a product with a similar texture, like bismuth ox chloride.
32. Yarn and Craft String
Yarn and craft string are perfect when you’re looking for glitter or confetti alternatives because they come in a wide range of colors, styles, and shapes. String also adds texture to your projects, so it’s great for making cards, scrapbook pages, and other craft projects look more interesting.
33. Food Coloring
Food coloring is the perfect ingredient if you want to make your glitter or confetti for a craft project because it’s so easy to find in any supermarket. Just mix one part of paint with two parts of water, apply it to your art surfaces with a paintbrush and let it dry.
34. Buttons
Buttons are another great crafting supply because they come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can make them into glittery confetti by punching a hole through the center and then stringing them together with twine or fishing wire. Just be sure to skip this step if you want to use buttons for scrapbooking or other crafts that require glue.
35. Modeling Clay
There are many different types of modeling clay, but air-dry clays are the easiest to work with because they don’t need any special supplies. Just mix in some craft glitter and shape the clay into whatever type of bead you want. Then bake it in an oven for about half an hour at 150° Celsius and let it cool.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of 35 Glitter Alternatives to Avoid Pollution & Harmful Chemicals. It’s been a pleasure writing this blog post for you, and we would love to hear from you in the comments section below! If any of these alternatives work well for your business, let us know too to share it with other readers on social media. Happy crafting, everyone!
